A new tool, called the a-synuclein seeding amplification assay, (aSyn-SAA) can detect pathology in spinal fluid of individuals who have been diagnosed with PD and in individuals who are a high risk for developing it.
In a major advance for Parkinson’s disease (PD) research, scientists have developed a powerful new test that detects abnormal alpha-synuclein — the hallmark “Parkinson’s protein” — in brain and body cells. Published in The Lancet Neurology, this discovery could transform how PD is diagnosed and treated.
The test, called the α-synuclein seeding amplification assay (αSyn-SAA), identifies the misfolded protein in spinal fluid with 93% accuracy in people with PD. Remarkably, it can also detect the protein in individuals at high risk before symptoms appear.
Led by the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) and its Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) clinical study, this marks a turning point: Parkinson’s can now be biologically confirmed in living patients, not just postmortem. This paves the way for earlier diagnosis, targeted therapies, and faster drug development.
The test works by using a fluorescent dye to detect whether abnormal alpha-synuclein in a sample causes normal proteins to misfold and clump — a key disease mechanism. Validated in over 1,100 samples, the assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, making it one of the most accurate tools for diagnosing neurological disorders to date.
With support from MJFF, Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), and other major funders, this breakthrough brings new hope for preventing and treating Parkinson’s at its earliest stages.