Plasma neurofilament light chain concentrations are elevated in youth-onset type 2 diabetes and associated with neuropathy

NFL concentrations were similar in the DN and no DN groups at the first assessment. Concentrations were higher in DN participants at all subsequent assessment periods (all p < .01). NFL concentrations increased over time in both groups, with higher degrees of change in DN participants (interaction p = .045). A doubling of the NFL value at Assessment 2 in those without DN increased the odds of ultimate DN outcome by an estimated ratio of 2.86 (95% CI: [1.30, 6.33], p = .0046). At the final study visit, positive Spearman correlations (controlled for age, sex, diabetes duration, and BMI) were observed between NFL and HbA1c (0.48, p < .0001), total cholesterol (0.25, p = .018), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL (0.30, p = .0037)). Negative correlations were observed with measures of heart rate variability (-0.42 to -0.46, p = <.0001).

Check out the full publication in Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System.