Potential two-step proteomic signature for Parkinson's disease: Pilot analysis in the Harvard Biomarkers Study

Introduction We sought to determine if our previously validated proteomic profile for detecting Alzheimer's disease would detect Parkinson's disease (PD) and distinguish PD from other neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Plasma samples were assayed from 150 patients of the Harvard Biomarkers Study (PD, n = 50; other neurodegenerative diseases, n = 50; healthy controls, n = 50) using electrochemiluminescence and Simoa platforms. Results The first step proteomic profile distinguished neurodegenerative diseases from controls with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.94. The second step profile distinguished PD cases from other neurodegenerative diseases with a diagnostic accuracy of 0.98. The proteomic profile differed in step 1 versus step 2, suggesting that a multistep proteomic profile algorithm to detecting and distinguishing between neurodegenerative diseases may be optimal. Discussion These data provide evidence of the potential use of a multitiered blood-based proteomic screening method for detecting individuals with neurodegenerative disease and then distinguishing PD from other neurodegenerative diseases.