Research suggests that a blood test can identify early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease

In the very early stages of the disease, the body goes through changes related to DNA repair and stress in cells. These changes leave detectable evidence in the blood before specialization Brain damage It happens, according to the study’s press release.

This may allow early detection of Parkinson’s disease, when treatment has a better chance of slowing or preventing serious damage.

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DNA repair processes and cellular stress responses can occur for up to 20 years in Parkinson’s patients before motor symptoms fully develop, according to researchers.

The team used machine learning to discover patterns associated with these processes that had not been found in them Healthy individuals Or patients who have already been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

European researchers have discovered a way to detect Parkinson’s disease early through a blood test. (Istock)

Annika Bolster, an assistant professor in the Department of Life Sciences at Chalmers University, who led the study, suggested in a statement that the study found an “important window of opportunity” through which the disease could be detected “before motor symptoms caused by nerve damage in the brain appear.”

“The fact that these patterns only appear at an early stage and are no longer active as the disease progresses further makes it interesting to focus on the mechanisms of finding Future treatmentsShe added.

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Bolster confirmed this the study He highlighted biomarkers that “likely reflect some of the early biology of the disease,” and which “pave the way for large-scale screening tests via blood samples: a cost-effective and easily accessible method.”

The results were published in Parkinson’s Disease npj.

Researchers expect that blood tests for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease will become more common. (Istock)

The researchers plan to continue developing tools to more easily detect these active mechanisms and understand how they work, according to the university.

The team expects that within five years, blood tests for early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease could become more common in clinical practice. They are also optimistic about development New medicines To prevent or treat disease.

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“If we can study the mechanisms as they occur, this may provide important clues to understanding how to stop them and which drugs may be effective,” Polster said.

“This may include new drugs, but also drug repurposing, where we can use drugs developed for diseases other than Parkinson’s because the same genetic activities or mechanisms are active.”

It is estimated that more than 10 million people around the world live with Parkinson’s disease. (Istock)

Study limitations

The researchers acknowledged that the study had some limitations, including that gene activity measured in the blood only partially matches what happens in the brain.

They added that external factors, such as the use of medications, may have influenced the results.

Also, the study population may not represent all people, so the results may not apply widely.

In numbers

It is estimated that more than 10 million people worldwide live with Parkinson’s disease, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation. About 90,000 people are diagnosed in the United States each year.

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The numbers are expected to continue to rise, as Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease After Alzheimer’s.

While research is progressing, there is currently no cure for this disease, although medications are available to control symptoms.

Common motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, balance, and walking difficulties. (Istock)

Common motor symptoms include tremors, slowness of movement, muscle stiffness, balance and walking difficulties, shuffling gait, and freezing episodes.

Non-motor symptoms include loss of sense of smell, Sleep problemsConstipation, fatigue, depression or anxiety, changes in speech and swallowing, cognitive slowing and decreased facial expressions, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation and Mayo Clinic.

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Danish Anwar, a PhD student in the Department of Life Sciences at Chalmers University and first author of the study, detailed in a statement how Parkinson’s disease affects the brain.

“By the time motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease appear, often 50% to 80% of the relevant brain cells are already damaged or have disappeared,” he said. “The study is an important step towards facilitating early recognition of the disease and controlling its progression before it reaches this stage.”

“By the time actual motor symptoms appear, the vast majority of affected cells have been damaged and destroyed.”

Fox News Chief Medical Analyst Dr. Mark Siegel agreed that Parkinson’s is a “very difficult disease” with a growing global impact.

“By the time actual motor symptoms appear affecting gait, tremors, etc., the vast majority of… Damaged cells “It was damaged and devastated,” he told Fox News Digital.

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Siegel described the new research as “exciting,” noting that it “opens the door to earlier and more effective diagnosis and treatment.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for comment.