Biomarkers in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) represent a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness in the lower limbs, with no specific treatment available for patients. At the same time, the molecular diagnosis is complicated by the high genetic heterogeneity of this group of diseases, and it can be challenging due to overlapping clinical features with other conditions. Reliable biomarkers could play a fundamental role in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic interventions for HSPs. For this reason, it is necessary to increase the search for biomarkers that can be used to rapidly classify HSPs, follow the natural history of the conditions, and monitor disease correction therapies. This article provides an overview of the current understanding of biomarkers in HSPs, including genetic, biochemical, and clinical biomarkers and new cell imaging-based approaches. In this manuscript, we aim to provide an overview of the current situation in HSP biomarkers, emphasizing the limitations and the necessity of conducting more studies in this field.