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World J Psychiatry. Nov 19, 2026; 16(11): 125017
Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.125017
Published online Nov 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.125017
Overview of neurofilament light chain in mental disorders
Jia-Meng Li, Department of Postgraduate, Jining Medical University, Jining 272002, Shandong Province, China
Bin Li, Rui-Hua Li, Department of Addiction Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China
Co-first authors: Jia-Meng Li and Bin Li.
Author contributions: Li JM and Li B contributed equally as co-first authors; Li JM wrote the manuscript and prepared the figure; Li B and Li RH co-wrote the manuscript; Li RH designed the outline of the manuscript, coordinated the writing, and prepared the table. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript to publish.
AI contribution statement: AI tools, specifically ChatGPT (GPT-5.6, OpenAI), were used solely for language polishing and formatting assistance. No AI tool was used to generate research data, interpret results, or formulate conclusions. All AI-assisted content was critically reviewed and revised by the authors, who take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript.
Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China, No. ZR2023QH567.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Rui-Hua Li, MD, Department of Addiction Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, No. 49 East Wenhua Road, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China.
Received: June 30, 2026
Revised: August 9, 2026
Accepted: September 17, 2026
Published online: November 19, 2026
Processing time: 123 Days and 19.7 Hours
Revised: August 9, 2026
Accepted: September 17, 2026
Published online: November 19, 2026
Processing time: 123 Days and 19.7 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This minireview provides an overview of current findings on neurofilament light chain (NfL) in five mental disorders and electroconvulsive therapy. Heterogeneity exists across mental disorders, with mixed findings in clinical studies on depression, more consistently elevated NfL levels observed in bipolar disorder, predominantly no significant differences noted in schizophrenia, and dynamic changes observed during substance withdrawal. In contrast, studies on electroconvulsive therapy consistently show no significant changes in NfL levels. Overall, research on NfL in mental disorders remains at a preliminary stage and warrants further validation, as well as mechanistic and longitudinal studies.