FIGURE 1.

Comparison of plasma cf-nDNA levels, cf-mtDNA copy numbers and deletion levels among NC (n = 76), PD (n = 62), and MSA (n = 33). The figure illustrates plasma: (A) cf-nDNA level, represented by RPP30; (B) cf-mtDNA copy number, represented by the ratio of MT-ND1 to RPP30; (C) cf-mtDNA deletion level, represented by the ratio of MT-ND1 to MT-ND4, across the three groups. Statistical analysis was performed using a generalized linear model, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, and educational level. Boxplots indicate the median and IQR. The upper whisker extends to the highest value within 1.5 times the IQR, and the lower whisker to the lowest value within 1.5 times the IQR. Data points outside the whiskers are classified as “outliers.” PD, Parkinson’s disease; MSA, multiple system atrophy; NC, normal control; cf-mtDNA, circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA; cf-nDNA, circulating cell-free nuclear DNA; IQR, interquartile range.