New Parkinson's Definition Proposed Based on Biomarkers

[Farooqji]

Until recently, alpha-synuclein -- the neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies -- could be reliably measured only postmortem. A seed amplification assayopens in a new tab or window first developed in 2016 now shows high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing Parkinson's from healthy controls in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

"We propose that, given our ability to detect neuronal alpha-synuclein using this seed amplification assay, it is time to redefine Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies on the basis of biology rather than clinical features," Simuni and colleagues wrote. "We recognize that a biological definition for Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies is a major shift, but we believe that reflects the availability of tools to establish the gold standard diagnosis during life."

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