Examining changes in neurofilament light chain following a behavioral weight loss intervention for adults with multiple sclerosis and obesity.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2025
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2025.106671
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The present study examined the effect of a behavioral weight loss intervention on multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, as measured by neurofilament light chain (NfL).
METHODS: NfL samples were collected at each clinical visit. Treatment and control arms were collapsed to perform cross-sectional analyses among the pre-intervention sample (n = 65). Spearman Rho correlations were used to examine associations between adjusted (age/BMI) and unadjusted pre-intervention NfL levels, and patient anthropometric, demographic, clinical, and treatment-specific variables (i.e., diet, physical activity). Mann-Whitney U Test was used to examine differences in NfL change between groups (intervention vs. control) at 6-months. Longitudinal associations between NfL change and percent weight loss, diet, and physical activity were also assessed among the collapsed sample.
RESULTS: Participant age was the only variable associated with NfL at baseline. Change in age/BMI adjusted NfL did not significantly differ between groups at 6 months (U = 201, p = .25). Despite clinically significant weight loss, there were no statistically significant differences between pre-/post-treatment levels or pre-/post-maintenance levels of NfL. Changes in diet and physical activity were not associated with changes in NfL.
DISCUSSION: NfL remained stable throughout the intervention despite significant weight loss. In this cohort, weight loss was associated with improved mobility, quality of life, and increased physical activity (Bruce et al., 2023). These improvements may have been due to the weight loss itself and possibly not due to a reduction in MS-related disease activity that is indexed by change in NfL.
Journal Title
Mult Scler Relat Disord
Volume
103
First Page
106671
Last Page
106671
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Neurofilament Proteins; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Obesity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Weight Reduction Programs; Weight Loss; Behavior Therapy; Exercise; Longitudinal Studies
PubMed ID
40840333
Keywords
Diet; Exercise; Multiple sclerosis; Neurofilament light chain; Weight loss
Recommended Citation
Cozart JS, Bruce AS, Shook RP, et al. Examining changes in neurofilament light chain following a behavioral weight loss intervention for adults with multiple sclerosis and obesity. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2025;103:106671. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2025.106671
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