Compared with individuals without dementia, glial fibrillary acidic protein, neurofilament light chain and phosphorylated tau181 were all increased to expected levels in dementia cases, with the former two biomarkers at levels comparable to those seen in persistent delirium [glial fibrillary acidic protein (β = 1.54; 95% confidence interval: 1.05–2.0) and neurofilament light chain (β = 0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.24–1.1)]. The gene discussed is NEFL; the disease is dementia.