Importantly, the observed NfL treatment response supports the assertion that masitinib has a neuroprotective effect under conditions of chronic neuroinflammation and therefore plausible disease-modifying activity in each of the NDDs for which it has shown clinical benefit, i.e. progressive forms of MS, ALS, and mild-to-moderate AD. The gene discussed is NEFL; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.