CSF Alpha-Synuclein Seed Quantification for Parkinson Disease and Other Diseases

Cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with PD, multiple system atrophy, and REM sleep behavior disorder showed some promise in distinguishing among the conditions, but more work is needed.

The real-time quaking-induced conversion alpha-synuclein (αSyn-RT-QuIC) assay has been shown by multiple groups to possess high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD). Can it, however, be used to monitor disease progression, distinguish among various parkinsonisms, or predict disease conversion in those at increased risk for PD (e.g., those with REM sleep behavior disorder)? The authors of the current study ran αSyn-RT-QuIC assays in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 74 patient with PD, 24 with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and 45 with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder, and in 55 controls.

The assays had 89% sensitivity and 96% specificity for a diagnosis of PD. The sensitivity in multiple system atrophy w…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)