Advances in biomarkers in multiple system atrophy

In order to improve illness identification, monitoring, and patient outcomes, this special report emphasizes the revolutionary potential of fluid and imaging biomarkers using new diagnostic technologies in Multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Innovations like multiplex seeding aggregation assays (SAA), 18FDG-Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and SPECT) are changing the diagnostic landscape. These techniques make it easier to detect MSA early and offer noninvasive monitoring choices. Although neurofilament light chain measurements in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as α-synuclein-based diagnostic biomarkers in CSF, are recognized as both diagnostic and surrogatemarkers of disease progression in MSA, their application in clinical practiceis limited to research. Some efforts are being made in the development ofselective α- synucleinPET tracers despite numerous barriers in visualizing intracellular localization of α-synuclein. The primary drawbacks include the high expense of SAA and imaging technologies, the paucity of multicenter longitudinal investigations, and the lack of uniformity of the prοtocols. The research highlights that to successfully solve these restrictions, stakeholders must continue to collaborate.

A multi-dimensional biomarker system of MSA patients maximizes the power of contemporary diagnostics to enhance MSA care by prioritizing the ongoing evaluation of multi-omics data.