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01-06-2018 | Original Communication

Alpha-synuclein is present in dental calculus but not altered in Parkinson’s disease patients in comparison to controls

Authors: Sabrina Schmid, Eva Goldberg-Bockhorn, Silke Schwarz, Nicole Rotter, Jan Kassubek, Kelly Del Tredici, Elmar Pinkhardt, Markus Otto, Albert C. Ludolph, Patrick Oeckl

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 6/2018

Abstract

Introduction

In autopsy cases staged for sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD), the neuropathology is characterized by a preclinical phase that targets the enteric nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Therefore, the ENS might be a source of potential (presymptomatic) PD biomarkers.

Methods

In this clinically based study, we examined the alpha-synuclein (αSyn) concentration in an easily accessible protein storage medium of the GIT, dental calculus, in 21/50 patients with PD and 28/50 age- and gender-matched controls using ELISA.

Results

αSyn was detectable in dental calculus and the median concentration in the control patients was 8.6 pg/mg calculus (interquartile range 2.6–13.1 pg/mg). αSyn concentrations were significantly influenced by blood contamination and samples with a hemoglobin concentration of > 4000 ng/mL were excluded. There was no significant difference of αSyn concentrations in the dental calculus of PD patients (5.76 pg/mg, interquartile range 2.91–9.74 pg/mg) compared to those in controls (p = 0.40).

Conclusion

The total αSyn concentration in dental calculus is not a suitable biomarker for sporadic PD. Disease-related variants such as oligomeric or phosphorylated αSyn in calculus might prove to be more specific.

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Title: Alpha-synuclein is present in dental calculus but not altered in Parkinson’s disease patients in comparison to controls
Authors: Sabrina Schmid
Eva Goldberg-Bockhorn
Silke Schwarz
Nicole Rotter
Jan Kassubek
Kelly Del Tredici
Elmar Pinkhardt
Markus Otto
Albert C. Ludolph
Patrick Oeckl
Publication date: 01-06-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-018-8847-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Alpha-synuclein is present in dental calculus but not altered in Parkinson’s disease patients in comparison to controls

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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