Summary: A new expert-led paper highlights the potential of biomarker testing to improve early diagnosis and treatment of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy.
Takeaways:
- Biomarker tests can facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of synucleinopathies, helping to manage symptoms and improve patient outcomes.
- The clinical proceedings paper, authored by a panel of experts, emphasizes the urgent need for early detection given the lack of cures for these neurodegenerative diseases.
- Advances in biomarker testing could pave the way for future research into effective treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
New biomarker tests can enable the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of symptoms associated with synucleinopathies, according to a new expert-led clinical proceedings paper from the Clinical Neurological Society of America.
Diagnosing Synuclienopathies
Synuclienopathies are a collection of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. They are characterized by an accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein in cells of the central nervous system. As these diseases progress, patients develop symptoms including problems with movements that can have a devastating effect on patients and their caregivers.
There are currently no available treatments to prevent, reverse or slow the progression of these diseases, making early diagnosis and prompt treatment of symptoms imperative for improving patients’ quality of life.
The paper, Minimizing the Devastating Impact of Synucleinopathies: The Utility of Biomarker Testing, is authored by six expert panelists and reviews:
- burden of synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy
- challenges of diagnosis
- utility of biomarkers as diagnostic tools.
The list of expert panelists includes:
- David Houghton, MD, MPH (Clinical Proceedings Chair)
- Pinky Agarwal, MD, FAAN
- James E. Galvin, MD, MPH
- Daniel Press, MD
- Cherry Yu, MD
- Erin Zinn, MSN, APRN-CPN, ANP-BC
“Biomarkers provide new hope for patients with synucleinopathies by facilitating correct and early diagnosis as well as advancing research into effective treatments for these diseases,” says David Houghton, MD, MPH, clinical proceedings chair. “Progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy have no cure, which underscores the importance of early diagnosis and earlier treatment to improve quality of life for patients and their families.”
