Alpha-synuclein in the cerebrospinal fluid differentiates synucleinopathies (Parkinson Disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy) from Alzheimer disease.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that quantification of CSF SNCA helps in the differentiation of synucleinopathies (PD, DLB, and MSA) from AD. However, CSF SNCA levels did not differ significantly among the 3 synucleinopathies. PMID: 22037599 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/22037599?dopt=Abstract

Source: Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders - March 9, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Source Type: research