Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the misfolding of alpha-synuclein (α-synuclein) proteins. Despite treatment, misdiagnosis rates can reach up to 50% within the first five years, highlighting the need for reliable biomarkers. However, the presence and role of α-synuclein in lymphatic tissues, such as the tonsils, have not been adequately investigated. The tonsils are accessible lymphatic organs that may serve as potential sites for α-synuclein accumulation due to their rich innervation and immune activity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and compare α-synuclein levels in the tonsillar tissues of patients with Parkinson's disease and healthy controls. By evaluating the tonsils as a potential site of α-synuclein deposition, this study aims to explore their role as a possible biomarker. METHODS: After ethical approval, participants were selected from Neurology Outpatient Clinic diagnosed with idiopathic Parkinson's per UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Criteria. The control group comprised individuals undergoing tonsillectomy with no neurological symptoms. We collected and analyzed tonsil tissues from 15 control and 11 PD patients using ELISA to determine α-synuclein concentrations. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 25.0, employing Mann-Whitney U and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests to evaluate differences in α-synuclein levels, with significance set at p<0.05. RESULTS: No significant age or gender differences were noted between groups. PD patients showed higher α-synuclein concentrations in tonsillar tissues compared to controls, with statistical significance. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that tonsillar tissue could serve as a novel peripheral biomarker, potentially reflecting α-synuclein accumulation in PD. Future studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanism of α-synuclein deposition in tonsils, its correlation with disease severity and progression and its potential role in monitoring treatment response.