That is, neurons in the AD patients enrolled in our study may be in a prone-to-death state, leading to more NfL release from the axonal membrane and higher plasma NfL levels; neurons in the GC patients enrolled in our study may be in a prone-to-survival state, leading to less NfL release from the axonal membrane and lower plasma NfL levels. The gene discussed is NEFL; the disease is Alzheimer disease.