Chapter 12: Alpha-synuclein as a Molecular Marker for the Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders

Intracellular deposits of α-synuclein (α-syn) protein are a conventional indicator of synucleinopathies. Despite tremendous advances in understanding the pathophysiology of synucleinopathies, histological investigations and clinical symptoms are still extensively used in diagnosis. Identification of key biomarkers of these diseases using diagnostic techniques is a continuing challenge. As the aggregation of α-syn is an indicator of synucleinopathies, this can be used as a biomarker for developing diagnostic platforms. This chapter highlights the working principle of different diagnostic tools that have been developed for the detection of α-syn, including details of how specificity has been achieved in each case. It also provides a critical review on establishing α-syn as a biomarker for synucleinopathies and identifies key gaps to overcome any limitations of diagnostic techniques.