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Clinical Autonomic Research

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01-12-2019 | Review Article

Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies: a review

Author: Vincenzo Donadio

Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research | Issue 6/2019

Abstract

Purpose

The in vivo diagnosis of synucleinopathies is an important research aim since clinical diagnostic criteria show low accuracy. The skin innervation, especially the autonomic subdivision, is a useful region to search for abnormal α-syn aggregates in synucleinopathies since the peripheral sympathetic nerves can be the earliest-affected neural region and autonomic symptoms may precede the classical symptoms of these disorders.

Methods

The major advantages of skin biopsy as an in vivo diagnostic tool for synucleinopathies are that it is an inexpensive and easy-to-perform technique requiring only limited facilities, and that it is repeatable in long-term studies as it causes only minor discomfort to the patient.

Results

This review analyzes current progress in this area of research that may facilitate the standardization of this method, potentially eliminating differences among laboratories in the implementation of the method.

Conclusions

The most suitable and commonly used technique for identifying in vivo α-syn aggregates in skin nerves is indirect immunofluorescence, although several aspects of this approach need to be standardized, particularly when synucleinopathies without autonomic failure present a patchy distribution of abnormal α-syn aggregates in skin nerves. By contrast, synucleinopathies with autonomic failure may present widespread diffusion of abnormal aggregates in autonomic skin nerves.

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Title: Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies: a review
Author: Vincenzo Donadio
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Clinical Autonomic Research / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0959-9851
Electronic ISSN: 1619-1560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-018-0581-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits in Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies: a review

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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