A new blood test for Parkinson’s disease can diagnose this neurodegenerative condition 7 years earlier than previous tests. Specifically, the test determines the presence of eight proteins in blood samples from patients with Parkinson’s disease. The researchers used patients that had a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder. Patients with this condition often develop Parkinson’s disease. Researchers followed patients clinically followed for signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 16 of them developed Parkinson’s disease within 7 years as predicted correctly by the blood tests. Researchers followed the patients further to substantiate the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Comments about the new Parkinson’s Disease blood test
Dr. Daniel Truong is a neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at Memorial Care Orange Coast Medical Center in California. He said: “The development of a biomarker test for early detection of Parkinson’s disease is a potentially transformative advancement. It could change the landscape of diagnosis, treatment, and research in neurodegenerative diseases.”
The co-first author of the study was from the Department of Neurology at the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. He said: “By determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson’s patients several years in advance.”
Conventional diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease
The conventional way to diagnose Parkinson’s disease is by monitoring the onset of the following symptoms: constipation, loss of smell, possible REM-sleep behavior disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and cognitive impairment.
Dr. Truong explained: “Parkinson’s disease is currently diagnosed through a combination of clinical evaluations, medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and supportive tests such as the “DaTscan.“ He added: “MRI imaging tests help rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as strokes, brain tumors, or normal pressure hydrocephalus.”
Sensitive blood test for Parkinson’s disease as a game changer
Dr. Truong said: “Testing could be more easily accessible, and widespread testing could be performed. This would lead to health cost savings,” Truong continued. “The success of such a biomarker test would indeed be transformative in the field of Parkinson’s disease. It would shift the paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive management, allowing for earlier and more personalized interventions. This would not only improve the quality of life for patients, but also advance research and potentially lead to significant healthcare cost savings.
A new Blood Test for Parkinson’s Disease
Conclusion
A new blood test for Parkinson’s disease determines the presence of eight proteins in the blood of patients with the disease. Recent research found that this test is positive 7 years before the patient becomes symptomatic with Parkinson’s disease. If confirmed by other researchers this test has the potential to become an important clinical tool in the early diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s disease.
