Alpha-synuclein detection using beads

An in vitro method for detecting the presence of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregate in a biological sample, the method comprising:

• (A) providing a biological sample;
• (B) providing a pre-incubation mixture, the pre-incubation mixture comprising:
• (1) a monomeric α-syn protein;
• (2) a buffer composition;
• (3) a salt;
• (4) a fluorescent protein aggregation indicator;
• and
• (5) one or more Si3N4 beads having a diameter of 1 mm to 5 mm;
• (C) combining the biological sample and the pre-incubation mixture to form an incubation mixture;
• (D) incubating and agitating the incubation mixture to form an incubated mixture;
• (E) illuminating the incubated mixture with a wavelength of light that excites the fluorescent protein aggregation indicator;
• and
• (F) determining a level of fluorescence during incubation,
• wherein an increase in the level of fluorescence during incubation indicates the presence of α-syn aggregate in the biological sample.