Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered a way to detect significant changes in the brain associated with Parkinson's disease, even before the typical symptoms appear. The study showed that in the earliest stages of the disease, a molecular "signature" appears in the blood that is associated with impaired cellular defenses against damage. The study was published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease.
Blood analysis showed activation of genes responsible for DNA repair and the cellular stress response, processes that are activated long before a person develops tremors, tremors or movement disorders. Among the main markers of the prodromal phase of the disease, the researchers identified the genes ERCC6, PRIMPOL, NEIL2 and NTHL1.
The scientists noted that this molecular profile is characteristic of the early stage of Parkinson's disease. it disappears as the disease progresses. Using machine learning techniques, scientists were able to reliably distinguish these blood samples from both healthy individuals and patients with already pronounced symptoms.
"This is important, because at the time of clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, a significant part of the neurons is already irreversibly damaged. This new approach makes it possible to detect the disease when brain changes are still potentially reversible or reversible," the researchers explained.
The authors believe that in the future, these biomarkers could be the basis for simple and affordable blood-based screening tests. They estimate that the first clinical trials of such tests could begin within the next few years.
