A small skin biopsy could spare patients a painful spinal tap

Multiple system atrophy is a fast-moving brain disease that looks like Parkinson's — but the two need different care, and telling them apart has meant a painful spinal tap. Now San Diego company Amprion has shown, in peer-reviewed research published in npj Parkinson's Disease, that a small skin biopsy can do the job: the test detects clumps of a misfolded protein in skin and correctly distinguished the disease from Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia, matching spinal-fluid results. It is still research-grade, but it points to a far gentler, earlier way to get the right diagnosis.