Flt3 Ligand Does Not Differentiate Between Parkinsonian Disorders

Background: Differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders is challenging because of overlapping symptoms, especially during early stages of disease. No validated biomarkers are available for early and accurate diagnosis of multiple system atrophy and other parkinsonian disorders. It has been reported that flt3 ligand levels in cerebrospinal fluid could clearly differentiate patients with Parkinson's disease from patients with multiple system atrophy, with 99% sensitivity and 95% specificity. Methods: We measured flt3 ligand levels in cerebrospinal fluid of subjects with Parkinson's disease (n=37), multiple system atrophy (n=30), and progressive supranuclear palsy (n=19). Results: In our cohort, no significant difference was found in flt3 ligand levels between Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that cerebrospinal fluid flt3 ligand levels do not differentiate between parkinsonian disorders. (C) 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society