title: α-synuclein imaging: a critical need for Parkinson's disease research.
abstract: The development of an α-synuclein imaging agent could be transformative for Parkinson's disease research and drug development. The ability to image α-synuclein in the brain would enable tracking of the degree and location of pathology over time and monitoring of therapies aimed at reducing α-synuclein levels. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has assembled a consortium of researchers to develop an α-synuclein radiotracer for use in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. While this poses a number of challenges they should not be insurmountable and lessons learned from the development of tau radiotracers should provide valuable insights.
authors.affiliation: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Eberling
authors.forename: Kuldip D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Dave
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Frasier
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D035843:Biomedical Research; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051844:alpha-Synuclein
keywords: biomarker; positron emission tomography; radiopharmaceutical; tau; α-synuclein; β-amyloid