Associations Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Neurofilament Light Levels Among US Mexican American Adults

BACKGROUND: This study explores the relationship between neurofilament light (NfL) levels, a biomarker of neuronal injury, and cardiovascular health and vascular injury among US Mexican American (MA) and non-Latino White (NLW) adults. METHODS: Data from 1317 participants in the Health and Aging Brain Study: Health Disparities (HABS-HD) were analyzed, including phenotypic, neuroimaging, and plasma NfL data. Cardiovascular health factors included hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), while vascular injury markers were white matter hyperintensities (WMH). RESULTS: We found that NfL levels differed between MA and NLW participants based on diabetes and CVD diagnosis, with more pronounced differences in the MA group. In addition, the association between WMH volume and NfL was steeper in the MA group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest NfL's potential as a prognostic biomarker for CVD and neurodegeneration, especially in MA adults. Further research is needed to understand these associations and develop targeted prevention strategies for brain aging disparities.