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Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Alpha-Synuclein Seed Amplification Assay

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ALPHSYN SAA

Description

"Alpha-Synuclein Seed Amplification Assay" (α-Syn-SAA) test detects abnormal clumping of alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Doctors use this test to evaluate patients with motor symptoms or suspected early Parkinsonism. It analyzes cerebrospinal fluid to identify protein aggregates that may not appear on standard imaging. A positive result suggests elevated risk for conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple system atrophy. This test supports early detection, refines diagnosis, and helps guide next steps in neurologic care.

"Alpha-Synuclein Seed Amplification Assay" (α-Syn-SAA) test detects abnormal clumping of alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Doctors use this test to evaluate patients with motor symptoms or suspected early Parkinsonism. It analyzes cerebrospinal fluid to identify protein aggregates that may not appear on standard imaging. A positive result suggests elevated risk for conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple system atrophy. This test supports early detection, refines diagnosis, and helps guide next steps in neurologic care.

Test Category

Proteins

Procedure

Invasive

Sample Type

Blood – Serum | Fluid

Units

Not Applicable

Procedure Category

Insert, Extract

Test Group

Chronic Illness Group

Test Group Description

Chronic Illness Group: This group encompasses a range of tests specifically tailored to assess markers associated with chronic health conditions, providing comprehensive insights into the management and monitoring of chronic illnesses.

Optimal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Result: Negative: No abnormalities detected.

Normal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Result: Negative: No abnormalities detected.

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Abnormal results may indicate:


  • Dementia with Lewy bodies (Cognitive decline, visual hallucinations, and motor symptoms)

  • Multiple system atrophy (Neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement and autonomic function)

  • Parkinson's disease (Neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms)

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis: Detects abnormal alpha-synuclein protein, a hallmark of the disease.

  • Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishes Parkinson’s from conditions like MSA or dementia with Lewy bodies.

  • Early Disease Detection: Identifies early signs for prompt treatment and management.

  • Monitoring Disease Progression: Tracks the spread of protein clumps to assess disease stages.

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Fairfoul G, McGuire LI, Pal S, et al. Alpha-synuclein RT-QuIC in the CSF of patients with alpha-synucleinopathies. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2016;3(10):812-818.
[2] Sano K, Kondru NC, Yoshioka H, et al. Early detection of α-synuclein seeds in the CSF of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord. 2021;36(3):774-783.
[3] Shahnawaz M, Tokuda T, Waragai M, et al. Development of a bioluminescent assay for alpha-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2017;5(1):86.
[4] Rossi M, Candelise N, Baiardi S, et al. Ultrasensitive RT-QuIC assay with high diagnostic accuracy for Lewy body disease in tissue and CSF. Acta Neuropathol. 2020;140(1):49-62.
[5] van Rumund A, Green AJE, Fairfoul G, et al. CSF alpha-synuclein RT-QuIC in Parkinsonian disorders: findings in an independent cohort. Mov Disord. 2019;34(9):1411-1413.
[6] Bargar C, Wang W, Gunzler SA, et al. Streamlined alpha-synuclein RT-QuIC assay for various synucleinopathies. Neurology. 2021;96(9):e9-e15.
[7] Iranzo A, Fairfoul G, Serradell M, et al. Detection of α-synuclein in CSF by RT-QuIC in patients with isolated REM sleep behavior disorder. Mov Disord. 2021;36(6):1589-1593.
[8] Groveman BR, Orrú CD, Hughson AG, et al. Rapid and ultra-sensitive quantitation of disease-associated α-synuclein seeds in brain and cerebrospinal fluid by RT-QuIC. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2018;6(1):7.
[9] Russo MJ, Orrú CD, Concha-Marambio L, et al. High diagnostic performance of independent alpha-synuclein seed amplification assays for detection of MSA, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Acta Neuropathol.2021;142(1):77-81.

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