The Neuroinflammatory Acute Phase Response in Parkinsonian-Related Disorders

Background: Neuroinflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) and related conditions, yet prior clinical biomarker data report mixed findings. Objectives: The aim was to measure a panel of neuroinflammatory acute phase response (APR) proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of participants with PD and related disorders. Methods: Eleven APR proteins were measured in the CSF of 867 participants from the BioFINDER cohort who were healthy (612) or had a diagnosis of PD (155), multiple system atrophy (MSA) (26), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) (22), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (23), or Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) (29). Results: CSF APR proteins were mostly unchanged in PD, with only haptoglobin and α1-antitrypsin significantly elevated compared to controls. These proteins were variably increased in the other disorders. Certain protein components yielded unique signatures according to diagnosis: ferritin and transthyretin were selectively elevated in MSA and discriminated these patients from all others. Haptoglobin was selectively increased in PSP, discriminating this disease from MSA when used in combination with ferritin and transthyretin. This panel of proteins did not correlate well with severity of motor impairment in any disease category, but several (particularly ceruloplasmin and ferritin) were associated with memory performance (Mini-Mental State Examination) in patients with DLB and PDD. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into inflammatory changes in PD and related disorders while also introducing biomarkers of potential clinical diagnostic utility.