The present disclosure relates to the use of TAM receptor ligands, metabolites, precursor and binding partners thereof in the field of inflammatory neuropathology. This includes the early diagnosis and monitoring of an inflammatory neuropathology as well as screening for medicaments used in the treatment and prophylaxis of such a condition. The method comprises screening blood fluid from a subject for a TAM receptor ligand, or metabolite, or precursor thereof wherein an altered level of the ligand or its metabolite or precursor relative to a control is indicative of the presence of an inflammatory neuropathological disease or condition or a likelihood of developing the same. Diagnostic kits, high throughput screening assays and therapeutic compositions for inflammatory neuropathies are also taught herein.