The plasma alpha-synuclein levels in patients with Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy.

Abstract

alpha-Synuclein, a synaptic protein of unknown function, is a major component of Lewy bodies and may play a role in the pathophysiological process of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, we measured the plasma alpha-synuclein levels in 105 patients with PD, 38 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and 51 age-matched controls. The alpha-synuclein level was significantly elevated in patients with PD (79.9 +/- 4.0 pg/ml, p < 0.001) and in those with MSA (78.1 +/- 3.5 pg/ml, p = 0.019) compared with the level in controls (76.1 +/- 3.9 pg/ml). The alpha-synuclein level was higher in patients with PD than in those with MSA (79.9 +/- 4.0 vs 78.1 +/- 3.5, p = 0.016). Our study demonstrated that the alpha-synuclein level in plasma is elevated in patients with PD and MSA.

• Authors: P H Lee, G Lee, H J Park, O Y Bang, I S Joo, K Huh
• Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) (J Neural Transm (Vienna)) Vol. 113 Issue 10 Pg. 1435-9 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 0300-9564 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 16465458 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• alpha-Synuclein

Topics

• Adult
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple System Atrophy (blood)
• Parkinson Disease (blood)
• alpha-Synuclein (blood)