Potential clinical utility of cutaneous α-synuclein signatures in people with multiple system atrophy

Clinical features of Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson disease (PD) are similar, especially in early diseases stages. Thus, cutaneous α-synuclein signatures to distinguish MSA from other overlapping synucleinopathies is crucial.
Analyses from this study indicated lower nerve fiber densities in patients with PD (n=54) compared to those with MSA (n=31; P<0.05 for all fiber types). Phosphorylated alpha-synuclein presented in at least one skin biopsy for all patients with MSA and majority with PD (94.4%).
According to the authors, patients with MSA are clearly distinguished from those with PD by the greater phosphorylated alpha-synuclein deposition and prevalent peripheral distribution.