AI Blood Test for Early Parkinson's Diagnosis Shows Promise

Researchers have developed an AI-driven blood test to predict Parkinson's disease years before symptoms appear, potentially leading to a cost-effective, finger-prick test for early diagnosis and treatment development.

Significant Progress

Parkinson's UK has called this advancement "a major step forward" in the search for a non-invasive, patient-friendly test. However, larger trials are required to verify its accuracy. Parkinson's affects nearly 10 million people globally. Most diagnoses occur only after symptoms like tremors, movement issues, and memory problems appear, caused by nerve cell degeneration in the brain. There is no cure or treatment to halt the disease, though therapies help manage symptoms.

Research and Findings

The research, led by University College London and University Medical Center Goettingen, involved blood samples from people with and without Parkinson's. Eight key proteins were identified that could predict the disease. These markers, linked to inflammation and protein degradation, may also pave the way for new drug treatments.

In a study of 72 patients at risk of brain disorders, the AI tool accurately predicted that 16 would develop Parkinson's, sometimes up to seven years before symptoms began. Overall, the test predicted 79% of the cases, with ongoing monitoring to confirm its accuracy.

Early Intervention and Future Plans

Prof Kevin Mills from UCL's Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health stressed the importance of early intervention, saying, "We need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms." Dr. Jenny Hällqvist from UCL added, "People are diagnosed when neurons are already lost. We need to protect those neurons, not wait till they are gone."

Parkinson's symptoms typically begin mildly and progress, affecting movement with signs such as shaking, slow movement, and muscle stiffness. These result from reduced dopamine production in the brain due to the accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein.

The researchers aim to develop a simpler test where a drop of blood on a card can be sent to a lab for early prediction. Prof David Dexter from Parkinson’s UK noted that this work adds to the growing efforts to find straightforward testing methods for Parkinson's.

Ethical Considerations and Clinical Applications

While some experts, like Prof Ray Chaudhuri from King’s College London, question the ethics of early diagnosis without a cure, others, like Prof Michele Vendruscolo from the University of Cambridge, see potential in recruiting at-risk individuals for clinical trials and monitoring experimental treatments' effectiveness.

The research has been published in Nature Communications, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to combat Parkinson's disease.