Decreased alpha-Synuclein Serum Levels in Patients with Lewy Body Dementia Compared to Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Control Subjects

Background/Aims: Detection and differentiation of neuro-degenerative dementias, such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), with blood-based biomarkers would facilitate diagnosis and treatment. Methods: By use of a commercially available ELISA kit, we measured alpha-synuclein levels in the serum of 40 DLB patients and controls, and of 80 AD patients. Results: We found significantly reduced alpha-synuclein serum levels in DLB compared to both AD (p = 0.006) and control subjects (p = 0.001), reaching an area under the curve of >0.70. Conclusion: Although these results do not justify a definition of serum alpha-synuclein as a potential single biomarker, results may contribute to a multimarker strategy in DLB diagnosis. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel