LRRK2 Quantification in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Atypical Parkinsonian Syndromes

BackgroundThe alteration of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) kinase activity is thought to be involved in Parkinson's disease (PD) pathogenesis beyond familiar cases, and LRRK2 inhibitors are currently under investigation. Preliminary data suggest a relationship between LRRK2 alteration and cognitive impairment in PD. ObjectiveTo investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) LRRK2 levels in PD and other parkinsonian disorders, also correlating them with cognitive impairment. MethodsIn this study, we retrospectively investigated by means of a novel highly sensitive immunoassay the levels of total and phosphorylated (pS1292) LRRK2 in CSF of cognitively unimpaired PD (n = 55), PD with mild cognitive impairment (n = 49), PD with dementia (n = 18), dementia with Lewy bodies (n = 12), atypical parkinsonian syndromes (n = 35), and neurological controls (n = 30). ResultsTotal and pS1292 LRRK2 levels were significantly higher in PD with dementia with respect to PD with mild cognitive impairment and PD, and also showed a correlation with cognitive performances. ConclusionsThe tested immunoassay may represent a reliable method for assessing CSF LRRK2 levels. The results appear to confirm an association of LRRK2 alteration with cognitive impairment in PD. (c) 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively investigated the levels of LRRK2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and other parkinsonian disorders using a novel highly sensitive immunoassay, and correlated them with cognitive impairment. The results showed that PD with dementia had significantly higher levels of total and pS1292 LRRK2 compared to PD with mild cognitive impairment and PD, and these levels were also correlated with cognitive performance.