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How do you utilize skin punch biopsy to assess for alpha-synuclein in patients with parkinsonism?

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Do you utilize skin punch biopsy to assess for alpha synuclein in patients with parkinsonism?

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3 Answers
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Neurology · Emory University School of Medicine
Answered on

Before starting autonomic training in Boston (with the creators of a test that looks for cutaneous synuclein/amyloid/small fiber density), I used the technique on several patients. It was actually quite helpful; one patient had an idiopathic autonomic failure (with several risk factors for it) and a...

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Neurology · VUMC Neurology
Answered on

This is mainly a research tool at this point. Keep in mind that the sensitivity and specificity of this test are not well established.

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Neurology · SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Answered on

Please also see the answer to the following question for more thoughts on this topic:

https://www.themednet.org/question/19564

"What is the practical application of alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay CSF testing for the diagnosis and management of Parkinson's disease?".

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