ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the unusual protein chemical properties of the phosphorylated axonal form of the heavy neurofilament subunit NF-H (pNF-H). I show how these properties conspire to make this protein an excellent biomarker of ongoing chronic and acute axonal loss useful in clinical and research contexts. pNF-H can be detected by ELISA not only in cerebrospinal fluid but also in plasma and serum. I summarize neurological damage and disease states in which this protein has been measured in elevated and informative levels in blood. Finally, I use this biomarker to discuss some of the problems, questions and opportunities associated with the biomarker field in general, and highlight some areas which require further research on this and other potential biomarkers.
