Episode 132: Aiding Diagnosis of Synucleinopathies Through SAAmplify-aSYN Biomarker Test

Russell Lebovitz, MD, PhD

Episode 132 of the NeurologyLive^® Mind Moments^® podcast is now live! Scroll down to listen or click here to subscribe on your favorite streaming service.

The Mind Moments podcast features exclusive interviews with leaders in the field discussing the latest research and disease management strategies across the breadth of neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and more.

In this episode, "Aiding Diagnosis of Synucleinopathies Through SAAmplify-aSYN Biomarker Test," Russ Lebovitz, MD, PhD, chief executive officer and cofounder of Amprion, discussed the company's SAAmplify-aSYN biomarker test, a first-in-class qualitative laboratory developed test and the only seed amplification assay available to aid in the diagnosis of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Lebovitz provided insight on the new technology and its remarkable accuracy in identifying underling a-synuclein pathology using fluorescence changes. He gave a complete overview of the notable study published in The Lancet Neurology that further tested and validated the assay among a heterogenous group of synucleinopathies. Furthermore, he provided clinical context on the feasibility of the assay, the potential for clinical use, and the continued validation needed. 

The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here:

• Axsome to Submit NDA for AXS-05 in Alzheimer Agitation Following Positive Phase 3 Trials
• FDA Clears IND for Trial Assessing Gene Therapy SGT-212 in Friedreich Ataxia
• FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Anti-Tau Therapy Posdinemab

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

• 1:05 – Overviewing mechanistic function of SAAmplify-aSYN biomarker test, its purpose, and how it came about
• 7:50 – Results from the published study; ways the fluorescence-based amplification method could distinguish MSA from PD and Lewy body dementia
• 16:25 – Neurology News Minute
• 18:30 – Therapeutic feasibility of the assay in clinical settings and the next steps in validation

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