Breakthrough research paves way for new Parkinson’s test

SCIENTISTS are a step closer to developing a test for early-stage Parkinson’s disease.

A molecule linked to the brain condition can be detected in samples of spinal fluid, say researchers at Edinburgh University.

This may pave the way to earlier diagnosis, improving treatment prospects.

Parkinson’s disease causes the progressive loss of neurons involved in movement, leading to uncontrollable tremors, rigid muscles and poor balance.

An estimated 127,000 people in the UK have the disease.

The test molecule is a protein called alpha-synuclein which forms sticky clumps known as Lewy bodies within the brain cells of people with Parkinson’s.

Researchers used highly sensitive technology to differentiate between healthy and harmful forms of the protein.

In early studies the test identified 19 out of 20 samples from Parkinson’s patients.

Dr Alison Green, from the national CJD [Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease] research and surveillance unit at the university, said: ‘We have already used this technique to develop an accurate test for CJD, another neurodegenerative condition. We hope that with further refinement, our approach will help to improve diagnosis for Parkinson’s patients.’

Dr Beckie Port, from the charity Parkinson’s UK, called the findings ‘hugely promising’.

She said: ‘Further research is needed to test more samples to see if the results continue to hold true, but this could be a significant development towards a future early diagnostic test for Parkinson’s.’

The findings are published in the journal Annals Of Clinical And Translational Neurology.