A simple blood test could predict Parkinson’s disease seven years before symptoms appear. The news marks a “major step forward” in diagnosis of the condition. Researchers believe early prediction and diagnosis would help in finding treatments that could slow or stop Parkinson’s.
The test uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the disease, which is caused by the death of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. When these nerve cells die or become impaired, they lose the ability to create a chemical called dopamine. People with Parkinson’s are currently treated with dopamine replacement therapy after they have already developed symptoms, such as tremors or slowness of movement.
It is thought that early diagnosis and treatment would help protect the dopamine-producing brain cells. Co-first-author Dr Michael Bartl, of University Medical Centre Goettingen and Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik Kassel, alongside Dr Jenny Hallqvist, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said: “By determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson’s patients several years in advance. “This means that drug therapies could potentially be given at an earlier stage, which could possibly slow down disease progression or even prevent it from occurring.
” Professor David Dexter, director of research at Parkinson’s UK, said: “This research, co-funded by Parkinson’s UK, represents a major step forward in the search for a definitive and patien.
