Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

Question: The articles about biomarkers in Tech & Innovation in Healthcare have fascinated me. As a neurologist, I was wondering if research has been done with biomarkers for neurological system disorders?

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Answer: Yes, research has been done for neurological system disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. Plus, recently researchers discovered a biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease.

An abnormal alpha-synuclein — also known as the Parkinson’s protein — is found in a patient’s brain and body cells. Researchers used an α-synuclein seeding amplification assay (αSyn-SAA) to examine the spinal fluid of the study’s subjects. From analysis, scientists found that the αSyn-SAA could detect the presence of the disease in those diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, as well as those who haven’t been diagnosed yet or aren’t showing symptoms (but fall under the high risk category).

The αSyn-SAA confirmed the presence of an abnormal alpha-synuclein in 93 percent of the subjects who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.

The alpha-synuclein protein is normally found in the nervous system but can start to misfold and clump. This leads to neuron damage and the development of Parkinson’s Disease. With the assay, the protein’s tell is revealed by causing normal alpha-synuclein to misfold and clump, too. Researchers prepare spinal fluid samples with a fluorescing agent that illuminates if clumps take shape. When the normal protein is added to the spinal fluid sample, researchers observe the sample to see if clumps form and the sample lights up.