June 19, 2024

New Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson's Disease 7 Years Before Symptoms

Researchers from University College London and University Medical Center Goettingen have developed a promising new blood test that could detect Parkinson's disease up to seven years before the onset of symptoms. This innovative test was created using artificial intelligence (AI) and has shown significant potential in early diagnosis.

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, involved analyzing blood samples from 72 participants with Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (iRBD). This disorder causes individuals to act out their dreams without awareness and is known to precede synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease, in about 75% to 80% of cases.

Using a machine-learning tool, researchers identified eight blood-based biomarkers altered in people with Parkinson's. The AI program correctly identified 79% of individuals with iRBD as having a profile consistent with Parkinson's disease. Notably, the research team accurately predicted that 16 individuals would develop Parkinson's, doing so seven years before symptoms appeared.

Dr. Daniel Truong, neurologist and medical director at the Truong Neuroscience Institute, emphasized the transformative potential of this biomarker test for early detection. He noted that while the promise is substantial, careful validation and ethical considerations are essential for successful integration into clinical practice. Early diagnosis could lead to more effective interventions, significantly improving the lives of those at risk for or living with Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Michael Bartl, co-first author of the study, highlighted that identifying these eight proteins in the blood could allow for earlier drug therapies, potentially slowing disease progression or even preventing it. The markers are directly linked to processes such as inflammation and protein degradation, offering possible targets for new treatments.

David Dexter, research director at Parkinson's UK, acknowledged this research as a major step toward a diagnostic test for Parkinson's. He expressed hope that with further work, the test could distinguish between Parkinson's and similar diseases, such as multiple system atrophy or dementia with Lewy bodies.

Currently, Parkinson's disease is diagnosed through clinical evaluations, medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and supportive tests like DaTscan, which measures dopamine transporters in the brain. Research is ongoing to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis, with promising methods including ?-synuclein seed amplification assays and mass spectrometry-based proteomic phenotyping.

In summary, this new blood test, if validated and integrated into clinical practice, could revolutionize the early detection and treatment of Parkinson's disease, offering new hope for millions of individuals worldwide.