# NAPS2 Biofluid Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $477,305

## Abstract

ABSTRACT: NAPS2 BIOFLUID CORE
 REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is commonly a prodromal manifestation of diseases defined by
pathologic alpha-synuclein (aSyn) protein accumulation (synucleinopathies). A large percentage of RBD
patients are eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and
multiple system atrophy (MSA), with varying rates of disease progression. Development and validation of
biomarkers for RBD can improve the efficiency of future clinical trials by providing quantitative metrics for target
engagement and drug efficacy. In the North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy Consortium on RBD,
Stage 2 (NAPS2), the aims of the Biofluid Core will be 1) to oversee and coordinate [along with the National
Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD)] the collection, processing,
and storage of serially collected plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples at the NAPS2 consortium Sites;
2) to perform assays of established neurodegenerative markers; and 3) to develop and test promising novel
markers. The key biofluid markers include assays that correlate with neurodegeneration such as neurofilament
light chain (NfL) in plasma and CSF and total tau in CSF, as well as measures that correlate with pathologic
protein accumulation in CSF including total αSyn, oligomeric αSyn [including new protein misfolding cyclic
amplification (PMCA) technology], Aβ42, Aβ40, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau181). Efforts on developing and
testing promising novel markers will include exploration of catechols in the CSF, exploration of exosomal
markers in plasma, and measurement of αSyn oligomers in CSF by real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-
QuIC). The Biofluid Core will ensure scientific rigor through standardization of biofluid collection and use of
innovative, state-of-the-art biofluid assays performed at laboratories with extensive prior experience. The Core
will be directed by leaders in biofluid discovery and validation in synucleinopathies and other
neurodegenerative diseases. The Core leads have collaborated with NAPS investigators on prior research
studies in RBD and other synucleinopathies, and their prior experience and guidance will ensure consistency
and standardization of planned biofluid assays as part of this consortium. All proposed fluid biomarker assays
are backed by preliminary data and sound scientific evidence supporting their value in synucleinopathies. The
Core will work closely with the Administrative, Clinical, and Database Management and Statistics (DMS)
Cores, and along with the Genetics, PSG and Neuroimaging Cores, supply processed cross-sectional and
longitudinal data of selected markers for the Project focused on predicting phenoconversion. The Core will
also provide anonymized cross-sectional and longitudinal data for sharing with outside investigators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10187085
- **Project number:** 1U19AG071754-01
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL T KOTZBAUER
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $477,305
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-08-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10187085

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10187085, NAPS2 Biofluid Core (1U19AG071754-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10187085. Licensed CC0.

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