Science News: New Biomarker Test to Detect Parkinson's
From Parkinson’s Foundation Science News:
A recent study adds promising new data to support a test that may allow Parkinson’s disease (PD) to be diagnosed before symptoms appear.
Central to Parkinson’s, a protein called alpha-synuclein helps brain cells function. When these proteins misfold (meaning they are not shaped properly) they cannot function normally. Certain types of misfolded alpha-synuclein act as “seeds” that spread, much like a red sock in the washing machine can turn everything pink. When these misfolded proteins clump together, they eventually kill brain cells, and PD symptoms appear.
The Study
By the time a doctor makes a Parkinson’s diagnosis, the disease has most likely progressed for years. However, a recent study adds promising new data to support a new diagnostic test. The study builds on prior research, using a test called an alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay (SAA) that distinguishes between people who do or do not have Parkinson’s. The new study found that:
Alpha-synuclein seed amplification assay detected early Parkinson’s 87% of the time.
In volunteers who did not have Parkinson’s, the test showed the absence of the disease 96% of the time.
The test’s ability to detect Parkinson’s using misfolded protein measurements make it a promising potential tool, but what does this study mean to people with PD right now?