A genetic analysis of a blood sample may be sufficient to detect Parkinson’s disease before the first symptoms appear, according to a Spanish study reported on Monday by EFE.
“Blood biomarkers (molecules in the blood that indicate health status) represent a highly convenient and minimally invasive method to improve the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD), especially in early stages” refers to the study published in the scientific journal Neurotherapeutics.
The study analyzed changes in gene expression, that is, in how genes function inside cells.
During the research, blood samples from 23 newly diagnosed and untreated Parkinson’s patients were analyzed, comparing them with those of 16 healthy people of similar age and sex, to identify disease-related differences.
The study resulted in the identification of 22 altered genes in Parkinson’s patients who had not yet received treatment for the disease.
These genes were also recorded in healthy users, but no changes were observed, according to scientists at the Neuroscience Institute, a joint center of the Superior Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), in Madrid and the Miguel Hernández University (UMH), in Elche.
“These changes are not observed in healthy patients”, said CSIC researcher, who led the blood tests Marina Guillot.
Guillot indicated that the results obtained with the genes could be good markers for diagnosing Parkinson’s.
CSIC added that the tool also contributed to better monitoring of the disease.
The new tool is unavailable for clinical use, but the method allows for “easier and earlier detection” of Parkinson’s disease, according to a CSIC statement released on Monday.
UMH researcher Jorge Manzanares said that the onset and development of the disease have not yet been identified and that current treatments are limited.
“The onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease are not yet fully understood, and current treatments have limited effects”said the researcher, highlighting that the new method will contribute to the development of more effective and personalized therapies in the future.
Parkinson’s disease affects almost 12 million people worldwide, being the most common neurodegenerative disease and one of the main causes of neurological disability.
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