α-Synuclein Skin Biopsy Testing Linked to Lower Neurology Care Costs
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Skin biopsy testing for phosphorylated α-synuclein was associated with lower annual neurologic care costs in a private-practice cohort.
- Reductions in MRI, DaTscan, laboratory testing, and referrals appeared to drive the reported cost savings.
- Findings come from a retrospective, single-practice analysis and should be interpreted as early health economics data.
Use of the Syn-One Test (CND Life Sciences, Scottsdale, AZ) to detect phosphorylated α-synuclein (P-SYN) in skin biopsy samples was associated with reduced neurologic diagnostic spending in patients with suspected synucleinopathies, according to research presented at the 7th World Parkinson Congress. The findings add a health economics perspective to the evolving role of cutaneous P-SYN testing in the diagnostic workup of suspected neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, including Parkinson disease and related disorders.
The diagnostic pathway for suspected synucleinopathies can involve repeated imaging, laboratory testing, referrals, and treatment trials before diagnostic clarity is reached. In this retrospective analysis, investigators assessed whether adding cutaneous P-SYN testing was associated with changes in test ordering and care costs in a private-practice setting.
Inside the Analysis
Investigators reviewed records from 100 patients with suspected synucleinopathy who underwent cutaneous P-SYN testing between January 2022 and December 2024. The cohort included 50 male and 50 female participants with a mean age of 73 years. The mean evaluation period before P-SYN testing was 26.1 months, and mean follow-up after testing was 14.6 months.
Insights from the Cost Data
- Across the cohort, 599 diagnostic tests were ordered, with 69% ordered before Syn-One testing.
- Annual reductions were reported across all diagnostic test categories after Syn-One testing (P<.01 for all groups).
- MRI use decreased from 89 scans before P-SYN testing to 23 after testing; DaTscan use decreased from 20 to 6 scans.
- Annual neurologic health care costs for the cohort were estimated at $587,000, with $172,000 more spent before cutaneous P-SYN testing than after testing.
- Overall health care expenditure after cutaneous P-SYN testing decreased by an estimated $100,521 annually.
- At the practice level, annual DaTscan ordering decreased from 135 scans before introduction of P-SYN testing to 33 scans afterward.
The authors concluded that cutaneous P-SYN testing was associated with reduced neurologic care costs in this cohort, largely through fewer imaging studies, laboratory tests, and physician referrals.
Sources
Gibbons C, Levine T, Freeman R, et al. The health economics of skin biopsy detection of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in a private practice. Presented at: 7th World Parkinson Congress; May 24-27, 2026; Phoenix, AZ.