# Characterization of Neurofilament Light Chain in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

> **NIH NIH R21** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $432,938

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Neurofilament light-chain (NfL) in the blood or CSF is a highly predictive biomarker of neuronal dysfunction in
multiple diseases. However, NfL in CSF and blood has remained poorly characterized at the protein structure and
isoform level. The overall goal of this proposal is to fully characterize NfL isoforms in human AD cerebrospinal fluid
and blood with mass spectrometry in order to quantify total and phosphorylated isoforms of NfL, and assess the
utility of various NfL isoforms in quantifying AD neurodegeneration. This will aid in identifying disease specific
isoforms for future biomarker use, and improve staging AD for asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals and may
help discriminate between AD from other neurodegenerative dementias. Towards this goal we will develop and
analytically validate a mass spectrometry assay to measure NfL and its isoforms in CSF and blood (aim 1) and
compare concentrations and isoforms across samples from individuals with AD, non-AD (FTD, PD, PSP, CBD)
and healthy controls (aim 2).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9975558
- **Project number:** 1R21AG067559-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** RANDALL J BATEMAN
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $432,938
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-04-15 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9975558

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9975558, Characterization of Neurofilament Light Chain in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders (1R21AG067559-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9975558. Licensed CC0.

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