Background: There are no reliable biomarkers that could evaluate the disease burden in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum neurofilament subunit L (NF-L) in patients with ALS and to analyze the correlations between the levels of NF-L and clinical parameters. Method: CSF and serum samples were obtained from 80 ALS patients and 40 controls. The levels of NF-L in CSF and serum were assessed, and disease progression parameters including duration, revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-r) score, disease progression rate (DPR), upper motor neuron (UMN) score, and survival were analyzed by registered neurologists. All samples were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were performed using Prism software. Results: Compared to the controls, the ALS patients displayed significantly increased levels of NF-L; these values were negatively correlated with the ALSFRS-r score and positively correlated with the decrease in ALSFRS-r score, DPR, and UMN score. There was no correlation between levels of NF-L and duration. In addition, the cumulative survival rate in ALS patients with a low level of NF-L was higher than in patients with a high level of NF-L. Conclusions: NF-L levels increased in CSF and serum of patients with ALS. NF-L may thus be a neurodegenerative biomarker for predicting ALS severity and progression, and the survival of patients with this disease.

IntroductionTo analyze the risk factors of carotid plaque (CP) and carotid common artery intima‐media thickening (CCAIMT) and the association between the risk factors and CP numbers and the side of the CCAIMT in a high‐stroke‐risk population.MethodsCarotid ultrasonography was conducted in 2025 participants with high stroke risk. Participants were divided into different groups according to the results of the ultrasound. The risk factors and blood biochemical indices were recorded.ResultsThe presence of CP and CCAIMT were 38.9% and 24.8% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the risk factors of CP were age, high LDL‐C and FBG levels, male gender, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and tobacco use. Compared with participants without CPs, the participants who were male, and older in age, with risk factors of tobacco use, diabetes, high LDL‐C levels, and a family history of hypertension were likely to have a single CP, whereas the participants with risk factors of tobacco use, diabetes, hypertension, male gender, older age, high LDL‐C levels, stroke and AF or valvulopathy were prone to have multiple CPs. The risk factors of CCAIMT were male gender, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, AF or valvulopathy, tobacco use and age. Compared with the N‐CCAIMT subgroup, the risk factors of left CCAIMT were tobacco use, diabetes, male gender, and age. The risk factors of right CCAIMT were male gender, high FBG levels, age, AF or valvulopathy. The risk factors of dual CCAIMT were high frequency of drinking milk, tobacco use, male gender, age, stroke, and hypertension.ConclusionThese findings revealed the risk factors of CP and CCAIMT, and an association between the risk factors and the CP numbers and the side of the CCAIMT.