Pre-analytical stability of serum biomarkers for neurological disease: neurofilament-light, glial fibrillary acidic protein and contactin-1

Objectives: Neurofilament-light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and contactin-1 (CNTN1) are blood-based biomarkers that could contribute to monitoring and prediction of disease and treatment outcomes in neurological diseases. Pre-analytical sample handling might affect results, which could be disease-dependent. We tested common handling variations in serum of volunteers as well as in a defined group of patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Methods: Sample sets from 5 pwMS and 5 volunteers at the outpatient clinic were collected per experiment. We investigated the effect of the following variables: collection tube type, delayed centrifugation, centrifugation temperature, delayed storage after centrifugation and freeze-thawing. NfL and GFAP were measured by Simoa and CNTN1 by Luminex. A median recovery of 90–110% was considered stable. Results: For most pre-analytical variables, serum NfL and CNTN1 levels remained unaffected. In the total group, NfL levels increased (121%) after 6 h of delay at 2–8 °C until centrifugation, while no significant changes were observed after 24 h delay at room temperature (RT). In pwMS specifically, CNTN1 levels increased from additional freeze-thaw cycles number 2 to 4 (111%–141%), whereas volunteer levels remained stable. GFAP showed good stability for all pre-analytical variables. Conclusions: Overall, the serum biomarkers tested were relatively unaffected by variations in sample handling. For serum NfL, we recommend storage at RT before centrifugation at 2–8 °C up to 6 h or at RT up to 24 h. For serum CNTN1, we advise a maximum of two freeze-thaw cycles. Our results confirm and expand on recently launched consensus standardized operating procedures.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Pre-analytical stability of serum biomarkers for neurological disease: neurofilament-light, glial fibrillary acidic protein and contactin-1 ; volume:60 ; number:6 ; year:2022 ; pages:842-850 ; extent:09 ; Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine ; 60, Heft 6 (2022), 842-850 (gesamt 09)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: van Lierop, Zoë Y. G. J. ; Verberk, Inge M. W. ; van Uffelen, Kees W. J. ; Koel-Simmelink, Marleen J. A. ; in ’t Veld, Lisanne ; Killestein, Joep ; Teunissen, Charlotte E.

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0007
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022062012591520262274
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:23 AM CEST