• Emma L van der Ende, Lieke H Meeter, Jackie M Poos, Jessica L Panman, Lize C Jiskoot, DopperElise G PEGPDepartment of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands., Janne M Papma, Frank Jan de Jong, Inge M W Verberk, Charlotte Teunissen, Dimitris Rizopoulos, Carolin Heller, Rhian S Convery, Katrina M Moore, Martina Bocchetta, Mollie Neason, David M Cash, Barbara Borroni, Daniela Galimberti, Raquel Sanchez-Valle, Robert Laforce, Fermin Moreno, Matthis Synofzik, Caroline Graff, Mario Masellis, Carmela TartagliaMariaMTanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada., James B Rowe, Rik Vandenberghe, Elizabeth Finger, Fabrizio Tagliavini, Alexandre de Mendonça, Isabel Santana, Chris Butler, Simon Ducharme, Alex Gerhard, Adrian Danek, Johannes Levin, Markus Otto, Giovanni B Frisoni, Stefano Cappa, PijnenburgYolande A LYALAlzheimer Center Amsterdam and Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands., Jonathan D Rohrer, John C van Swieten, and Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI).
• Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
• Lancet Neurol. 2019 Dec 1; 18 (12): 110311111103-1111.

BackgroundNeurofilament light chain (NfL) is a promising blood biomarker in genetic frontotemporal dementia, with elevated concentrations in symptomatic carriers of mutations in GRN, C9orf72, and MAPT. A better understanding of NfL dynamics is essential for upcoming therapeutic trials. We aimed to study longitudinal NfL trajectories in people with presymptomatic and symptomatic genetic frontotemporal dementia.MethodsWe recruited participants from 14 centres collaborating in the Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative (GENFI), which is a multicentre cohort study of families with genetic frontotemporal dementia done across Europe and Canada. Eligible participants (aged ≥18 years) either had frontotemporal dementia due to a pathogenic mutation in GRN, C9orf72, or MAPT (symptomatic mutation carriers) or were healthy at-risk first-degree relatives (either presymptomatic mutation carriers or non-carriers), and had at least two serum samples with a time interval of 6 months or more. Participants were excluded if they had neurological comorbidities that were likely to affect NfL, including cerebrovascular events. We measured NfL longitudinally in serum samples collected between June 8, 2012, and Dec 8, 2017, through follow-up visits annually or every 2 years, which also included MRI and neuropsychological assessments. Using mixed-effects models, we analysed NfL changes over time and correlated them with longitudinal imaging and clinical parameters, controlling for age, sex, and study site. The primary outcome was the course of NfL over time in the various stages of genetic frontotemporal dementia.FindingsWe included 59 symptomatic carriers and 149 presymptomatic carriers of a mutation in GRN, C9orf72, or MAPT, and 127 non-carriers. Nine presymptomatic carriers became symptomatic during follow-up (so-called converters). Baseline NfL was elevated in symptomatic carriers (median 52 pg/mL [IQR 24-69]) compared with presymptomatic carriers (9 pg/mL [6-13]; p<0·0001) and non-carriers (8 pg/mL [6-11]; p<0·0001), and was higher in converters than in non-converting carriers (19 pg/mL [17-28] vs 8 pg/mL [6-11]; p=0·0007; adjusted for age). During follow-up, NfL increased in converters (b=0·097 [SE 0·018]; p<0·0001). In symptomatic mutation carriers overall, NfL did not change during follow-up (b=0·017 [SE 0·010]; p=0·101) and remained elevated. Rates of NfL change over time were associated with rate of decline in Mini Mental State Examination (b=-94·7 [SE 33·9]; p=0·003) and atrophy rate in several grey matter regions, but not with change in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration-Clinical Dementia Rating scale score (b=-3·46 [SE 46·3]; p=0·941).InterpretationOur findings show the value of blood NfL as a disease progression biomarker in genetic frontotemporal dementia and suggest that longitudinal NfL measurements could identify mutation carriers approaching symptom onset and capture rates of brain atrophy. The characterisation of NfL over the course of disease provides valuable information for its use as a treatment effect marker.FundingZonMw and the Bluefield project.Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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