Illuminating synucleinopathies: Advances in α-synuclein PET tracer development for in vivo neuroimaging

Abnormal α-synuclein aggregation is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. A suitable radiotracer that can noninvasively map synucleinopathies through positron emission tomography (PET) will lead to breakthroughs in early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment responses. However, the development of PET tracers for α-synuclein is lagging due to several challenges. In this perspective, we provide a brief review of the advancements in PET tracers targeting α-synuclein and summarize recent clinical studies aimed at mapping synucleinopathies in neurodegenerative patients using these PET tracers.