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Seed Amplification Assay for α-Synuclein: Diagnostic Applications in Synucleinopathies
Alexandros Giannakis1, Louisa Pechlivani2, Chrissa Sioka2,3
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, University Campus, 45500 Ioannina, Greece.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Seed amplification assays (SAA) show promise for diagnosing synucleinopathies like Parkinson's disease by detecting misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in cerebrospinal fluid. Further research is needed to expand their use across various conditions and samples.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), are characterized by misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn).
- Seed amplification assays (SAA) leverage the prion-like properties of pathological α-syn to detect minute protein quantities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnostic utility of α-syn SAA in synucleinopathies.
- To assess the current applications and future potential of α-syn SAA.
Main Methods:
- A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted.
- Fifty-five clinical studies focusing on α-syn SAA were included in the final review.
Main Results:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-syn SAA demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy in Parkinson's disease patients.
- Studies on other biological samples and synucleinopathies yielded more modest results.
- The majority of reviewed studies focused on Parkinson's disease patients.
Conclusions:
- α-syn SAA possess significant diagnostic potential for synucleinopathies.
- Potential applications include monitoring disease progression.
- Further research should investigate alternative specimens, broader disease applicability, and comparative diagnostic value.
