Assessing skin biomarkers for preclinical diagnosis of PD and non-PD Parkinsonism
![Steven Gunzler](/sites/pdbp/files/styles/square_crop/public/2020-09/gunzler_photo_high_res.jpg?h=afc60946&itok=yEcIny8x)
![Qingzhong Kong](/sites/pdbp/files/styles/square_crop/public/2022-03/Kong-Qingzhong.jpg?itok=JeFWJfoC)
Summary
The disease-associated protein, alpha-synuclein (αSynD), is a characteristic feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and non-PD Parkinsonisms such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Currently, a certain diagnosis of these disorders often requires the detection of αSynD in autopsy brain samples.
There is a need to identify biomarkers for diagnosis in easily accessible samples such as skin tissue. Our goal is to establish skin αSynD as a biomarker for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and define PD severity.