Plasma / CSF Alpha-Synuclein (a-Syn)
140-amino-acid presynaptic protein involved in synaptic vesicle trafficking and SNARE complex assembly at nerve terminals.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Within standard population reference range, though above optimal longevity targets.
<400 pg/mL (plasma), positive seed amplification in CSF
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
Normal monomeric distribution
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Misfolds into beta-sheet oligomers and insoluble fibrils, forming the core pathological constituent of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (a-Syn High)
- •Parkinson Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- •Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
- •Pure Autonomic Failure
Low Levels (a-Syn Low)
- •Normal presynaptic physiological monomeric state
- •Absence of pathological seeding
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for a-Syn
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to lewy body synucleinopathy
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma / CSF Alpha-Synuclein - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34190124
- [2]a-Syn Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35422901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Plasma / CSF Alpha-Synuclein (a-Syn) into overall healthspan optimization.