Light chains (NfL), which are associated with axonal neuronal damage, have been identified as a promising biomarker that could aid in the early diagnosis of depression, personalised treatment and monitoring of disease progression. This study used a meta-analysis to assess the potential of plasma NfL as a biomarker for patients with depression.
A systematic search following PRISMA guidelines was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar databases for relevant studies on plasma NfL levels in patients with depression. A meta-analysis of the random-effects model was applied to determine its potential as a biomarker for differentiating patients from controls.
This meta-analysis, based on four articles with six datasets, revealed that plasma NfL levels were significantly higher in people suffering from depression (228 cases) compared with healthy controls (118 individuals). The weighted mean difference (WMD) was 8.78 (95% CI: 5.28, 12.28; P < 0.01), indicating a significant effect size. Given the diversity of confounding factors inherent in the included observational studies, the observed variability can be attributed to these influences. Due to the observed heterogeneity (Chi-square heterogeneity: 54.91, p < 0.05), the authors performed a subgroup analysis. Subgroup analyses based on depression type and analysis method consistently supported the association between NfL and depression, strengthening the evidence.
CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrates that high levels of NfL may serve as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of depressive disorders. Further research on various subtypes and longitudinal changes is needed to validate its clinical utility.