Levels of oligomeric α-Synuclein in reflex tears distinguish Parkinson's disease patients from healthy controls

Biomark Med. 2019 Dec;13(17):1447-1457. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0315. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Abstract

Aim: Due to active engagement of sensory and afferent nerve fibers in reflex tearing which could be affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), we tested reflex tears as a source of potential PD biomarkers. Patients & methods: Reflex tears collected from 84 PD and 84 age- and sex-equivalent healthy controls (HC) were used to measure levels of oligomeric α-Syn (α-SynOligo), total α-Syn (α-SynTotal), CCL2, DJ-1, lactoferrin and MMP9. Results: α-synOligo (p < 0.0001), CCL2 (p = 0.003) and lactoferrin (p = 0.002) were significantly elevated in PD patient tears relative to HC tears. Tear flow was significantly lower in PD relative to HC (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Reflex tears are a potential source for detection of characteristic changes in PD patients.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03037463.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; biomarker; diagnosis; oligomeric α-Synuclein; tears; α-Synuclein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers / analysis*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chemokine CCL2 / analysis
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lactoferrin / analysis
  • Lactoferrin / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism
  • Tears / chemistry*
  • Tears / metabolism
  • alpha-Synuclein / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • alpha-Synuclein
  • Lactoferrin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03037463