Blood biomarker may indicate Parkinson's progression

A specific blood biomarker may give experts an indication of cognitive decline and the progression of Parkinson's disease in patients, the results of a new study have indicated.

A specific mutation known as GBA that leads to early onset of Parkinson's disease and severe cognitive impairment was found to also alter how specific lipids, ceramides and glucosylceramides are metabolised.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that Parkinson's patients who do not carry the genetic mutation have higher levels of these lipids in the blood, while those who have Parkinson's and high blood levels are more likely to have cognitive impairment and dementia.

The research, which has been published online in the journal PLOS ONE, suggests that analysing this could lead to important warnings for people suffering from Parkinson's, which is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's.

Dr Michelle Mielke, a Mayo Clinic researcher and first author of the study, said there is currently no biomarker to gauge who is going to develop the disease, or and who is going to develop cognitive impairment after developing Parkinson's.

She added that early identification of Parkinson's patients at greatest risk of developing dementia is important for preventing or delaying the onset and progression of cognitive symptoms, and changing these blood lipids could be a way to stop the progression of the disease.

According to the experts, it may be possible for this blood lipid marker to help predict who will develop Parkinson's disease.

"There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, but the earlier we catch it - the better chance we have to fight it. It's particularly important we find a biomarker and identify it in the preclinical phase of the disease, before the onset even begins," Dr Mielke stated.

The researchers are currently investigating blood-based biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, as blood tests are less invasive and cheaper than a brain scan or spinal tap, which are often used when researching the disease.