Neurofilament light chain as novel blood biomarker of disturbed neuroaxonal integrity in patients with ketamine dependence

Chronic and heavy ketamine use has been associated with persistent neurocognitive impairment and structural brain abnormalities. Blood levels of neurofilament light chain (NFL) was recently proposed as a measure of axonal integrity in several neuropsychiatric disorders. We aimed to characterise the axonal neurotoxicity of chronic ketamine use and its relationship to relevant clinical outcomes.We enrolled 65 treatment-seeking ketamine-dependent...