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DJ-1 and αSYN in LRRK2 CSF do not correlate with striatal dopaminergic function
Min Shi1, Amy R Furay, Vesna Sossi
1Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
Neurobiology of Aging
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Cerebrospinal fluid DJ-1 and alpha-synuclein (αSYN) levels do not correlate with dopaminergic dysfunction in LRRK2 gene mutation carriers. These biomarkers are not suitable for screening LRRK2 carriers for Parkinson
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) DJ-1 and alpha-synuclein (αSYN) levels are observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.
- These markers' correlation with PD severity is unclear, suggesting potential as early progression indicators.
- Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene mutations increase PD risk, presenting a similar phenotype to sporadic PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between dopaminergic dysfunction in the basal ganglia and CSF levels of DJ-1 and αSYN in preclinical and clinical LRRK2 mutation carriers.
- To assess the utility of DJ-1 and αSYN as biomarkers for early-stage Parkinson's disease in individuals with LRRK2 mutations.
Main Methods:
- CSF samples were analyzed using Luminex assays.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans were used to determine dopaminergic dysfunction in the basal ganglia.
- Asymptomatic LRRK2 mutation carriers and LRRK2-associated PD patients were included in the study.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant relationship was found between PET-determined striatal dopaminergic dysfunction and CSF DJ-1 or αSYN levels.
- A weak correlation was observed between DJ-1 levels and methylphenidate binding.
- The study did not find evidence supporting the use of DJ-1 and αSYN alone for screening LRRK2 mutation carriers for PD.
Conclusions:
- CSF DJ-1 and αSYN levels do not reliably correlate with dopaminergic dysfunction in LRRK2 mutation carriers.
- These biomarkers are not appropriate for screening LRRK2 gene mutation carriers for Parkinson's disease.
- Further research may be needed to identify reliable biomarkers for early PD detection in LRRK2 mutation carriers.
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