Correlation between serum methylmalonic acid levels and serum neurofilament light chain

Published on Mar. 27, 2026Total Views: 57 times Total Downloads: 15 times Download Mobile

Author: WANG Shanjie ¹ GUO Wanlu ²  ZHANG Yiying ²

Affiliation: 1. Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China 2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang Province, China

Keywords: Neurofilament light chain Methylmalonic acid Vitamin B12 Nerve injury

DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1005-0698.202510095

Reference: WANG Shanjie, GUO Wanlu, ZHANG Yiying. Correlation between serum methylmalonic acid levels and serum neurofilament light chain[J]. Yaowu Liuxingbingxue Zazhi, 2026, 35(3): 272-280. DOI: 10.12173/j.issn.1005-0698.202510095.[Article in Chinese]  Copied

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the association of serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) and vitamin B12 with nerve injury marker serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL).

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014. Adults aged ≥20 years with complete data on serum MMA, serum vitamin B12 and sNfL were included as the research subjects. The association between serum MMA, serum vitamin B12 and sNfL was analyzed using a weighted multivariate linear regression model.

Results A total of 1,723 subjects were included, with the mean age was (46.00±15.43) years and 52% were female. After adjusting for confounders, multivariate linear regression analyses showed that serum MMA and sNfL levels were positively correlated with the adult population (β=0.11, P=0.017), whereas no correlation was found between serum vitamin B12 levels and sNfL concentrations (P>0.05).

Conclusions Serum MMA is positively associated with sNfL levels, and higher serum MMA levels may increase the risk of nerve injury. It is suggested that pharmacological interventions for controlling serum MMA levels may have potential clinical value in preventing or alleviating nerve injury.

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