CSF AND BLOOD BIOMARKERS IN ATYPICAL PARKINSONISM

Abstract

Atypical Parkinsonism is a collective term used to describe three rare neurodegenerative disorders which
manifest with diverse phenotypes. It includes progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy
(MSA) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Despite the presence of specific clinical features in typical
cases, many oligosymptomatic or atypical presentations are difficult to diagnose based on established
clinical diagnostic criteria. To this end, one or more biomarkers, preferably with molecular specificity is
paramount for the in vivo recognition of the underlying pathology in these patients. In this descriptive
review we present the most important studies on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma biomarkers in these
disorders, with a particular focus on established Alzheimer’s disease CSF biomarkers as well as alphasynuclein.