SERUM IGF-1& URIC ACID IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSONS DISEASE AND PARKINSON PLUS SYNDROME

Background:Development of biomarkers in Parkinson?s disease (PD) and Parkinson Plus Syndrome (PPS) is still at an elementary stage. Recent studies have yielded conflicting results on the role of insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) & uric acid as biomarkers in PD. We evaluated the role of serum IGF-1 and uric acid as diagnostic and prognostic markers in PD. Objectives: 1. To evaluate the role of serum IGF-1 & uric acid as biomarkers for differentiating PD from Parkinson plus syndrome and healthy controls. 2. To study the correlation of levels of serum IGF-1& uric acid with duration and severity of illness in PD. Methods:Current study included 99 patients with Parkinsonism and 68 healthy volunteers. Patients were diagnosed as PD, multisystem atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal ganglionic degeneration (CBGD) as per standard criteria. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients included in the study. All patients underwent complete neurological examination, MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination), UPDRS (Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale) and MRI brain. Serum IGF-1 was measured by DRG IGF-1 600 ELISA kit (Catalogue No: 18K116: DRG Instruments Gm BH, Germany). Serum uric acid was measured by INFINITE Uric acid assay kit (Accurex Biomedical PVT.LTD., Mumbai, INDIA). Results:Serum IGF-1 levels were significantly elevated (p<0.01) & uric acid levels were significantly decreased (p<0.01) in PD patients compared to controls, but the difference in serum IGF-1 & uric acid levels in various Parkinsonism groups (PD, YOPD, PSP, MSA, CBGD) were not significant. Conclusion:Serum IGF-1 levels were increased & uric acid decreased in PD. Further studies employing higher sample size and longitudinal measurement of serum IGF-1 and uric acid will help in delineating their role as biomarkers in PD.