Skin Biopsy Included as Part of Diagnostic Algorithm for Parkinson’s in New Review Paper
A recent review paper on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) highlights the use of skin biopsy testing for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (i.e., Syn-One Test®) as part of the evolving diagnostic approach for PD.
Published in the August edition of the journal Continuum, the paper is authored by movement disorder specialists Michael S. Okun, MD, FAAN, and Ashley Rawls, MD, MS. Continuum is an official journal of the American Academy of Neurology that serves as an essential education resource for neurologists in the evolving clinical landscape.
The review presents skin biopsy as a core component of the diagnostic algorithm for the PD patient when diagnostic uncertainty exists. The authors note that skin biopsy for alpha- synuclein may contribute to the early diagnosis of PD, and may be positive even before symptoms become apparent. They also state that the test may be used to differentiate patients with PD from other parkinsonian disorders, tauopathies, and non-neurodegenerative conditions. Improvements in the diagnostic workup for both early and symptomatic PD can facilitate timely identification of patients eligible for therapeutic interventions. Given that diagnostic uncertainty often delays treatment initiation, the Syn- One Test can provide diagnostic clarity for patients awaiting a confirmed PD diagnosis, thereby helping patients begin their treatment journeys.
