Blood Test May Detect Parkinson’s Disease Early

Researchers have developed a new blood test that could catch Parkinson’s disease before symptoms show

Parkinson’s disease is a condition that destroys brain cells critical for controlling movement. Over time, Parkinson’s patients develop problems like uncontrollable movements, shakiness, stiffness, and issues with coordination and balance. 

By the time that symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop, there has already been a lot of damage to the patient’s brain. 

Previous research has found that damage to the mitochondrial DNA, or DNA found in the part of the cell that generates its energy, has been linked to developing Parkinson’s disease. Detecting that damage may provide a way to identify Parkinson’s disease earlier than waiting for someone to develop symptoms. 

Scientists from Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, have created a blood test to do exactly that, publishing their findings in the journal Science Translational Medicine on Wednesday. 

They found that their test was able to detect higher levels of damage in mitochondrial DNA in samples collected from Parkinson’s patients, indicating that this test could be an early detection system.

“A simple blood test would allow us to diagnose the disease earlier and start therapies sooner,” said senior author Laurie Sanders, Ph.D, a neurologist at Duke, in a press release. “Additionally, a clear-cut diagnosis would accurately identify patients who could participate in drug studies, leading to the development of better treatments and potentially even cures.”

The researchers also found a gene to target for a possible future therapy. 

Some Parkinson’s patients have what’s called “idiopathic” disease, or disease with an unclear cause. However, others have a faulty gene called LRRK2, which the researchers found contributes to mitochondrial DNA damage. In mouse and cell models, fixing this faulty gene helped reduce damage to the mitochondrial DNA, suggesting potential for another avenue for a treatment down the road. 

Another early-detection method that’s showing potential is the use of eye scans; another recent study found that they can predict Parkinson’s onset up to seven years before the patient was diagnosed. 

Currently, there are no cures for Parkinson’s disease. A stem-cell therapy recently showed promising results, however, it is still in very early stages of testing. Existing treatments, such as the drug levodopa, mostly aim to manage symptoms.