Detecting Lewy Body–Related Biology Using Alpha-Synuclein Seeding Assays

What this project does
Uses a highly sensitive assay to detect misfolded alpha-synuclein biology (Lewy body–related) using skin biopsies (and CSF when available).

Why it matters clinically
Lewy body co-pathology changes symptoms, progression, and response patterns. Detecting it helps explain heterogeneity and may predict faster decline in some patients.

Key activities
-Apply alpha-synuclein seed amplification assays (SAA) to skin samples from participants (and CSF in a subset)
-Determine how alpha-synuclein positivity relates to: cognition and progression, imaging patterns, established AD biomarkers

What will be delivered
-Co-pathology status (alpha-synuclein signal) for participants
-Data on how Lewy-related biology modifies AD clinical course

Who this helps
-Clinicians who see mixed/atypical presentations
-Researchers aiming to stratify by underlying biology, not just symptoms