Editors' note: A new potential biomarker for dementia with Lewy bodies: Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits

Abstract

In “A new potential biomarker for dementia with Lewy bodies: Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits,” authors Donadio et al. studied phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) deposits and epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) density in skin biopsies of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). They detected p-syn in all patients with DLB. They also found reduced ENF in patients with DLB, especially in those with autonomic dysfunction. Commenting on the article, Dr. Khan asks whether synucleinopathies can be differentiated based on the skin biopsy (e.g., DLB from Parkinson disease, pure autonomic failure, or multiple system atrophy). Authors Donadio et al. agree that the possibility to differentiate different phenotypes of synucleinopathy by skin biopsy is an important aim, and is something they are working on. In “A new potential biomarker for dementia with Lewy bodies: Skin nerve α-synuclein deposits,” authors Donadio et al. studied phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) deposits and epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) density in skin biopsies of patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). They detected p-syn in all patients with DLB. They also found reduced ENF in patients with DLB, especially in those with autonomic dysfunction.