Parkinson's: Blood Test Detects Disease Years Early

Researchers have identified potential biomarkers in blood that could detect Parkinson's disease up to 20 years before motor symptoms manifest. The study, a collaboration between Chalmers University of Technology and Oslo University Hospital, utilized machine learning to pinpoint specific cellular changes related to DNA repair and stress response.

These detected patterns were unique to the early stages of the disease and were not observed in healthy individuals or those with advanced Parkinson's. This discovery offers a critical opportunity for early diagnosis when treatments may be more effective in slowing disease progression.

The findings, published in npj Parkinson's Disease, suggest that widespread screening via cost-effective blood tests could be feasible. The research team anticipates that such diagnostic tools may be integrated into clinical practice within the next five years.

While acknowledging study limitations, including the partial correlation between blood and brain activity, researchers are optimistic about developing new preventive or therapeutic drugs. They also noted that over 10 million people worldwide are estimated to live with Parkinson's, with approximately 90,000 new diagnoses annually in the U.S.