Test For Parkinson's Disease Moves Step Closer

Scientists say they have identified a molecule in the spinal fluid of Parkinson's disease patients which may open the door to an early-stage test.

They say that if the disease is spotted early enough, people with the molecule could take part in trials to test new medicines that could slow or even stop the disease.

There is currently no definitive test that allows doctors to determine if someone has Parkinson's, especially at the early stage.

GPs and consultants tend to rely on medical history, the symptoms that someone is exhibiting and a neurological and physical examination.

The newly discovered molecule is a protein which forms sticky clumps known as Lewy bodies within the brain cells of people with Parkinson's and some types of dementia.

Studies found spotting the difference between healthy and harmful forms of the protein - called alpha-synuclein - led them to accurately identify 19 out of 20 samples from Parkinson's patients, as well as three samples from people thought to be at risk of the condition.

People with Parkinson's suffer movement problems, which can lead to uncontrollable tremors, rigid muscles and poor balance.

They may also suffer depression and anxiety, a loss of the sense of smell, and problems with sleeping and memory.

An estimated 127,000 people in the UK have the disease, with the majority of them aged over 50.

Dr Alison Green, from the National CJD Research and Surveillance Unit at the University of Edinburgh, said: "We have already used this technique to develop an accurate test for Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (CJD), another neurodegenerative condition.

"We hope that with further refinement, our approach will help to improve diagnosis for Parkinson's patients.

"We are also interested in whether it could be used to identify people with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia in the early stages of their illness. These people could then be given the opportunity to take part in trials of new medicines that may slow, or stop, the progression of disease."

Dr Beckie Port, from the charity Parkinson's UK, said: "Although early days, the fact that researchers have developed a new test that is able to detect abnormal alpha-synuclein in the spinal fluid of people with Parkinson's with remarkable specificity and sensitivity, is hugely promising. Further research is needed."