{"id":990,"date":"2024-06-19T00:02:58","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T00:02:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/19\/scientists-hopeful-of-game-changing-parkinsons-test-able-to-predict-condition-seven-years-before-first-symptoms\/"},"modified":"2024-06-19T00:02:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T00:02:58","slug":"scientists-hopeful-of-game-changing-parkinsons-test-able-to-predict-condition-seven-years-before-first-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tradetrovex.com\/index.php\/2024\/06\/19\/scientists-hopeful-of-game-changing-parkinsons-test-able-to-predict-condition-seven-years-before-first-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists hopeful of game changing Parkinson\u2019s test able to predict condition seven years before first symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With help from artificial intelligence, researchers have identified a biological signature of Parkinson\u2019s disease they hope could lead to a simple blood test for the condition at least seven years before symptoms appear.<\/p>\n

A predictive test for Parkinson\u2019s could be game changing.<\/p>\n

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The progressive condition affects more than 150,000 people in the UK and is currently the world\u2019s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder.<\/p>\n

Parkinson\u2019s is a broad spectrum of conditions, but the most common symptoms are slowness of movement, tremors, and muscle stiffness.<\/p>\n

There are currently no drugs that slow or stop Parkinson\u2019s, and efforts to develop preventative treatments are hampered by the ability to know whether someone is going to develop the condition.<\/p>\n

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Like many progressive neurological conditions, by the time symptoms emerge, the damage to brain cells caused by Parkinson\u2019s has already occurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt present, we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, and we need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms,\u201d said Professor Kevin Mills at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, who helped develop the blood test.<\/p>\n

Using machine learning \u2013 a form of artificial intelligence<\/strong> \u2013 researchers from University College London and University Medical Centre in Goettingen, Sweden, screened blood samples from people with Parkinson\u2019s and detected eight key proteins or \u201cbiomarkers\u201d common to those with the condition.<\/p>\n

They then used their machine learning tool to analyse blood samples taken a decade ago from people with a sleep condition called Rapid Eye Movement Disorder, around 75% of whom go on to develop Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The AI has so far been able to correctly predict which patients went on to develop Parkinson\u2019s and did so up to seven years before symptoms first appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson\u2019s patients several years in advance,\u201d said Dr Michale Bartl at UMC Goettingen.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis means that drug therapies could potentially be given at an earlier stage, which could possibly slow down disease progression or even prevent it from occurring.\u201d<\/p>\n

The researchers have more work to do to validate the tests\u2019 accuracy and develop a version that could be easily used in a clinic.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf replicated in larger studies, these tests or panels may prove to be invaluable in supporting the diagnosis of Parkinson\u2019s,\u201d said neurologist Professor Ray Chaudhuri, at King\u2019s College in London.<\/p>\n

In the short term, a test could be used to replace the invasive lumbar puncture technique currently required to confirm Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n

A blood test that predicts Parkinson\u2019s years in advance may be key to accelerating clinical trials \u2013 but it\u2019s not without ethical hurdles, says Professor Chaudhuri.<\/p>\n

Currently, doctors have no drugs to prevent or stop Parkinson\u2019s \u2013 so is it right to offer people a test?<\/p>\n

Gary Shaughnessy was diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s nine years ago and recognises the dilemma.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI hate having Parkinson\u2019s so why would I want to know having it for one second more than is absolutely necessary?\u201d<\/p>\n

However, he argues there are actions people can take to mitigate the symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n

His is exercise \u2013 he\u2019s a competitive marathon runner.<\/p>\n

But he also recognises, having a predictive test for Parkinson\u2019s could be a key step towards developing new treatments.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we can make progress on a cure or treatments, it may be too late from my perspective, but it we could do something for other people that would be brilliant,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on sky.com<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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