Evaluation of Alpha-Synuclein Cerebrospinal Fluid Levels in Several Neurological Disorders

(1) Background: Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic neuronal protein that regulates several neuronal functions. In recent decades, the role of α-syn as a biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases has been explored, especially in synucleinopathies. However, only a few studies have assessed its rol...

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Main Authors: Luisa Agnello, Bruna Lo Sasso, Matteo Vidali, Concetta Scazzone, Caterina Maria Gambino, Tommaso Piccoli, Giulia Bivona, Anna Maria Ciaccio, Rosaria Vincenza Giglio, Vincenzo La Bella, Marcello Ciaccio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-05-01
Series:Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/11/3139
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Summary:(1) Background: Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a presynaptic neuronal protein that regulates several neuronal functions. In recent decades, the role of α-syn as a biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases has been explored, especially in synucleinopathies. However, only a few studies have assessed its role as biomarker in other neurological disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-syn levels in several neurological disorders; (2) Methods: We measured CSF α-syn levels by a commercial ELISA kit in 158 patients classified in the following group: controls, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), cerebrovascular diseases, inflammatory central nervous system diseases, other neurological diseases, Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and peripheral neuropathy; (3) Results: Patients with PD showed the lowest and patients with AD the highest levels of CSF α-syn (1372 vs. 2912 pg/mL, respectively, <i>p</i> < 0.001). In AD patients, α-syn levels were significantly associated with tau proteins; (4) Conclusions: α-syn could represent a biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases.
ISSN:2077-0383