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

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 49; pp. 4 - 8
• Main Authors: Førland, Marthe Gurine, Öhrfelt, Annika, Dalen, Ingvild, Tysnes, Ole-Bjørn, Blennow, Kaj, Zetterberg, Henrik, Pedersen, Kenn Freddy, Alves, Guido, Lange, Johannes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Biomarker; Cerebrospinal fluid; Longitudinal measurements; Neurosciences; Neurovetenskaper; Parkinson's disease; α-synuclein; Biomarker; Parkinson's disease; Cerebrospinal fluid; Longitudinal measurements; α-synuclein
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2018.01.018

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. 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. 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. Our findings do not support the clinical utility of total α-synuclein as a single diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in PD. •α-synuclein (α-syn) is considered a potential biomarker for PD.•Little is known about the evolution of this marker during the course of PD.•Our study covers the longest follow-up period so far and used 2 independent methods.•α-syn concentrations in PD were similar to controls and did not change over 4 years.•α-syn did not predict motor and cognitive decline.