# Differential diagnosis of Parkinson's and multiple system atrophy in non-human primate models using a novel a-synuclein retinal contrast agent and AI-assisted analytics

> **NIH NIH R44** · AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC. · 2021 · $2,077,573

## Abstract

Project Summary
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease,
and a major cause of disability in individuals over 65 years of age. PD belongs to a spectrum of diseases termed
the “synucleinopathies”, defined by the progressive aggregation of insoluble fibrillary a-synuclein, and includes
other disorders such as multiple system atrophy and Lewy body dementia. Currently, there are no objective tests
that can be used to definitively diagnose PD. In addition, differential diagnosis of synucleinopathies is very
challenging and relies heavily on a physician's clinical evaluation. A critical goal in the field is to reliably identify
synucleinopathies at early, asymptomatic stages of the disease, to allow the best chance for correct disease
modifying or preventative treatments to be effective. This proposal aims to develop a small molecule fluorescent
retinal contrast agent as a novel diagnostic for PD and other related synucleinopathies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10323567
- **Project number:** 1R44NS124473-01
- **Recipient organization:** AMYDIS DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Stella Sarraf
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $2,077,573
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-23 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10323567

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10323567, Differential diagnosis of Parkinson's and multiple system atrophy in non-human primate models using a novel a-synuclein retinal contrast agent and AI-assisted analytics (1R44NS124473-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10323567. Licensed CC0.

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