# Clinical Validation of Serum Neurofilament Light as a Biomarker of Traumatic Axonal Injury

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $276,461

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In those who require hospitalization due to infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a
syndrome termed COVID-19, 20% develop critical illness requiring ICU admission.1 COVID-19
critical illness is characterized by multiorgan failure, including acute severe hypoxemic respiratory
failure, renal dysfunction, and hemodynamic compromise. Early studies indicate that >30% of
hospitalized patients have neurological complications. Critical illness itself is associated with
prolonged neurological and psychological impairments that extend far beyond the initial insult,
even without obvious brain injury during the acute hospitalization. These disabilities include
memory and cognitive dysfunction, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These
symptoms are prevalent in survivors of ICU admissions and can be persistent, with at least one
or more symptom present in 20-50% of survivors a year or more after hospital discharge. There
is reason to be concerned that patients who survive COVID-19 may be at even higher risk, given
the prolonged hospital course that is common and the isolation required to contain the contagion.
In this study, we aim to analyze neurofilment light (NfL), a biomarker of acute brain injury in
patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. We will correlate the expression of NfL with data on
neurological compromise in the acute hospitalization as well as long-term cognitive and
psychological outcomes. The ultimate goal of this work is to determine if NfL can be used early
in the hospital stay to identify patients at highest risk of long-term neurological and psychological
compromise. This will help guide management as patients transition from the critical care setting
to rehabilitation and recovery.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10239757
- **Project number:** 3U01NS114140-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Ramon Diaz-Arrastia
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $276,461
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-11-15 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10239757

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10239757, Clinical Validation of Serum Neurofilament Light as a Biomarker of Traumatic Axonal Injury (3U01NS114140-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10239757. Licensed CC0.

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