What does the research say about GFAP and NfL?

GFAP and NfL

There are 4 papers on GFAP and NfL in aging research: 1 trial and 3 observational studies in people. The newest story, Oct 31, 2026: “Alzheimer's marker linked to subtle differences in older adults”.

Biomarker

4 papers study it83 more mention it5 findings

4 new papers in 30 daysSee all 87

“GFAP and NfL did not contribute significantly to amyloid detection in either group.”

Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 and amyloid‑β 42/40 for amyloid risk in subgroupsAlzheimer's research & therapy2025doi:10.1186/s13195-025-01826-3

Human trial1
Humans3

Interventions

Nicotinamide riboside

no changein humans1

1 study

Nicotinamide riboside showed no clear effect on GFAP and NfL in humans (8-week NR vs placebo, between-group comparison in SCD or MCI).
“No significant between-group differences were observed for RBANS, other plasma biomarkers(GFAP and NfL), Lumosity gameplay scores or step counts.”
Human trial8-week NR vs placebo, between-group comparison in SCD or MCI1 g/day8 weeks
Cognitive and Alzheimer's disease biomarker effects of oral nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation in older adults with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment
Alzheimer's & dementia (New York, N. Y.)Jan 1, 2025

Effects

Amyloid PET positivity detection

no changein humans1

1 study

GFAP and NfL was not clearly linked with amyloid PET positivity detection in either cognitively unimpaired or cognitively impaired individuals.
“GFAP and NfL did not contribute significantly to amyloid detection in either group.”
Humansin either cognitively unimpaired or cognitively impaired individuals
Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 and amyloid‑β 42/40 for amyloid risk in subgroups
Alzheimer's research & therapyAug 7, 2025

Upstream

BrainAge polygenic risk score

no changein humans1

1 study

BrainAge polygenic risk score was not clearly linked with GFAP and NfL in humans.
“None of the BrainAge PRS were associated with GFAP or NFL.”
Humansn = 1,641
Relationship between Polygenetic Risk Score of BrainAge and plasma biomarkers in the A4/LEARN studies
AAIC 2025 abstractDec 24, 2025

Associations

Preclinical Alzheimer's disease

upin humans1

1 study

Preclinical Alzheimer's disease is associated with GFAP and NfL in humans.
“alongside higher biomarkers of astrogliosis (GFAP) and neurodegeneration (NfL)”
HumansBiomarker-defined preclinical Alzheimer's disease with intact cognition and medically managed risk factorsn = 93
Alzheimer's marker linked to subtle differences in older adults
bioRxivOct 30, 2026Preprint

Latest

60 papers in 12 months

bioRxivOct 31

Alzheimer's marker linked to subtle differences in older adults

An observational study of 644 older adults linked an elevated Alzheimer's blood marker to subtle differences in thinking, behavior and body function.An observational study of 644 older adults linked an elevated Alzheimer's blood marker to subtle differences in thinking, behavior and body function.

Preprint: cohort · 644 peopleAlzheimer's disease

Paper

Brain CommunicationsOct 29

Newborns had higher blood tau markers than Alzheimer’s patients

One modified form of tau averaged 17 picograms per milliliter in newborns, versus 8.6 in Alzheimer’s patients and 2.6 in older controls.One modified form of tau averaged 17 picograms per milliliter in newborns, versus 8.6 in Alzheimer’s patients and 2.6 in older controls.

Cross-sectional · 42 peopleMechanisms