Alpha-synuclein Levels in the Differential Diagnosis of Lewy Bodies Dementia and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Meta-analysis.

SUBJECTIVES: Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer disease (AD). It is characterized by the accumulation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites which are composed of aggregated phosphorylated alpha-synuclein, which is a presynaptic neuronal protein genetically and neuropathologically linked to Parkinson disease and to LBD. Alpha-synuclein is thought to contribute to LBD pathogenesis and to linked to disruption of cellular homeostasis and neuronal death, through effects on various intracellular targets, including synaptic function.

METHODS

In the present study, we did a meta-analysis on the reliability of alpha-synuclein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the discrimination between LBD and other neurodegenerative disorders including AD, Parkinson disease (PD) dementia, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

RESULTS

CSF alpha-synuclein levels were significantly different in LBD compared with AD, but no statistical difference was found between LBD, and dementia in PD, MSA, PSP, and FTD.

CONCLUSION

Alpha-synuclein levels in the CSF can be used for the discrimination between LBD and AD, but not LBD and other neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia in PD, MSA, FTD, and PSP.