New Blood Test Could Detect Parkinson’s Disease Years Before Symptoms Appear
Click to Enlarge
Researchers at University College London and University Medical Center Goettingen have developed a promising blood test that could detect Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before symptoms emerge. Utilizing artificial intelligence, the test analyzes eight blood-based biomarkers altered in people with Parkinson’s. In a study involving 72 participants with Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (iRBD), the test successfully identified 79% of those with profiles indicative of Parkinson’s, correctly predicting the disease in 16 individuals.
Currently, Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed through clinical evaluations, medical history, physical and neurological examinations, and supportive tests such as DaTscans, which detect the disease only after symptoms appear. This new blood test offers the possibility of much earlier detection, potentially allowing for proactive management and personalized treatment plans. Dr. Michael Bartl, co-first author of the study, emphasized that this advancement might enable earlier drug therapies, potentially slowing or even preventing disease progression.
The research marks a significant step forward in Parkinson’s diagnostics. While further validation is needed, this test could revolutionize the approach to Parkinson’s disease, shifting from reactive to preventive care, significantly improving patient outcomes and offering new avenues for research and treatment development.
New Blood Test Could Predict Parkinson’s Disease 7 years Before Symptoms (Bailey, MedicalNewsToday, 6/18).
