REM Sleep Disorder: Skin Biopsy Detects Biomarker
- A punch biopsy can reliably detect phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN),a biomarker of neurodegenerative disease,in older adults with idiopathic REM sleep disorder (iRBD),according to research presented at SLEEP ...
- Levine, chief medical officer of CND Life Sciences and clinical professor at Arizona State University, explained that iRBD often signals the prodromal stage of synucleinopathies like Parkinson’s...
- Levine and colleagues aimed to determine P-SYN deposition rates in skin biopsies from iRBD patients without neurodegenerative disease and assess if P-SYN patterns predict eventual conversion to neurodegenerative...
A simple skin biopsy may detect a biomarker for neurodegenerative disease in patients with idiopathic REM sleep disorder (iRBD): phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN). Research presented at SLEEP 2025 reveals the Syn-one Test detected P-SYN in 75% of participants, potentially signaling the prodromal stages of Parkinson’s disease and other synucleinopathies. Study results indicate that P-SYN positive individuals were older and had longer iRBD durations. This pathology-based detection method may facilitate earlier interventions, and inclusion in disease prevention trials. Could this test revolutionize how we manage risk? News Directory 3 delivers the latest insights.Discover what’s next in proactive, personalized neurology.
Skin Biopsy Test Detects Biomarker for Neurodegenerative Disease
Updated June 12,2025
A punch biopsy can reliably detect phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN),a biomarker of neurodegenerative
disease,in older adults with idiopathic REM sleep disorder (iRBD),according to research presented at SLEEP
2025.
Todd D. Levine, chief medical officer of CND Life Sciences and clinical professor at Arizona State University,
explained that iRBD often signals the prodromal stage of synucleinopathies like Parkinson’s disease, dementia
with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy.
Levine and colleagues aimed to determine P-SYN deposition rates in skin biopsies from iRBD patients without
neurodegenerative disease and assess if P-SYN patterns predict eventual conversion to neurodegenerative
illness. Recent research indicates that skin biopsy detection of P-SYN shows high sensitivity and specificity
for Parkinson’s disease, dementia with lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy.
The 24-month study involved 80 participants (meen age, 67.8 years) with confirmed iRBD across 11 U.S.sites.Participants underwent neurological and cognitive evaluations at baseline, with reviews of their medical
history and polysomnograms.
The Syn-One Test,an in-office skin punch biopsy,was used,taking 3 mm sections from the leg,thigh,and
cervical region.Biopsies were examined according to current standards. At baseline, 60 participants tested
positive for P-SYN. Thes participants were older (68.7 vs. 65.1 years) and had experienced iRBD symptoms for a
longer duration (6.8 vs. 6.2 years) compared to P-SYN negative participants.
“This closely mirrors the longitudinal data in the Postuma study showing that roughly 73% of iRBD patients
will go on to develop PD, DLB, or MSA within 12 years,” Levine said.
Researchers hypothesize that individuals with greater P-SYN burden are more likely to progress to
neurodegenerative conditions.Levine suggested the Syn-One Test could detect this issue a decade or more before
clinical symptoms emerge, facilitating lifestyle changes, monitoring, and inclusion in disease prevention
trials.
“the Syn-One Test may be able to detect this problem a decade or more before clinical symptoms of a
synucleinopathy emergy and facilitate lifestyle changes, clinical monitoring, and even inclusion disease
prevention trials for patients who wish to be more proactive,” Levine said.
P-SYN positivity rates did not correlate with the severity of RBD symptoms or signs of Parkinsonism. Levine
noted this suggests that even patients with milder symptoms may harbor significant disease risk, highlighting
the value of early, pathology-based detection for guiding care and potential interventions. No adverse events
resulted from the skin biopsy.
“This decoupling of symptom intensity from underlying pathology suggests that even patients with milder or
atypical presentations may harbor significant disease risk,” Levine said. “These insights underscore the value
of early, pathology-based detection for guiding care and potential interventions.”
Levine emphasized that not all iRBD patients will progress to neurodegenerative disease, as some have
reversible or non-neurodegenerative causes. The Syn-One Test helps distinguish those with underlying
alpha-synuclein pathology, refining diagnosis and management.
“Not all patients with iRBD will progress to neurodegenerative disease. Some have reversible or
non-neurodegenerative causes,” Levine told Healio. “The Syn-One Test provides a way to distinguish those with
underlying alpha-synuclein pathology from those with othre etiologies, helping to refine diagnosis, guide
prognosis and tailor management.”
Levine added that the test’s simplicity suits routine outpatient use, opening doors for enrolling high-risk
patients in prevention trials and potentially predicting disease onset, supporting proactive, personalized
neurology.
What’s next
The Syn-One Test for phosphorylated alpha-synuclein (P-SYN) may allow for earlier detection of
neurodegenerative diseases,potentially leading to earlier interventions and improved patient outcomes.