The utility of α-synuclein as biofluid marker in neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review of the literature

...On the use of alpha-synuclein as a biomarker of neurodegeneration...

http://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/BMM.14.105?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3dpubmed

Biomark Med. 2015 Aug 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Simonsen AH, Kuiperij B, Ali El-Agnaf OM Engelborghs S, Herukka SK, Parnetti L, Rektorova I, Vanmechelen E, Kapaki E, Verbeek M, Mollenhauer B.

Abstract

The discovery of α-synuclein (α-syn) as a major component of Lewy bodies, neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies and of glial inclusions in multiple system atrophy initiated the investigation of α-syn as a biomarker in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Due to the involvement of the periphery in PD the quantification of α-syn in peripheral fluids such as serum, plasma and saliva has been investigated as well. We review how the development of multiple assays for the quantification of α-syn has yielded novel insights into the variety of α-syn species present in the different fluids; the optimal preanalytical conditions required for robust quantification and the potential clinical value of α-syn as biomarker. We also suggest future approaches to use of CSF α-syn in neurodegenerative diseases.