Evolution of cerebrospinal fluid total α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2018 Apr:49:4-8. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.01.018. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total α-synuclein is considered a potential biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD), but little is known about the evolution of this marker during the course of the disease. Our objective was to investigate whether CSF total α-synuclein concentrations change over time and are associated with motor and cognitive function in PD.

Methods: CSF total α-synuclein concentrations were quantified in 56 longitudinally followed PD patients, 27 of whom provided CSF repeatedly 2 and/or 4 years later. Another 18 subjects were included as controls. The samples were analyzed using two independent, validated ELISA methods: our recently developed and validated in-house ELISA and a commercial kit from BioLegend.

Results: CSF total α-synuclein levels did not distinguish PD patients from controls, displayed no substantial changes during a period of up to 4 years, and did not predict subsequent motor or cognitive decline. These findings were consistent for both analytical methods.

Conclusion: Our findings do not support the clinical utility of total α-synuclein as a single diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in PD.

Keywords: Biomarker; Cerebrospinal fluid; Longitudinal measurements; Parkinson's disease; α-synuclein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / etiology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Parkinson Disease / complications
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • alpha-Synuclein / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • alpha-Synuclein