Research breakthrough: Israeli team detects Parkinson’s markers up to 15 years before symptoms
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new method of detecting protein aggregation in cells that are the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. As reported here and here, this discovery could enable diagnosis “up to 15 years before the first symptoms appear, facilitating early treatment or even preventing the currently incurable disease.”
With the aid of super-resolution microscopy, the researchers examined the cells of Parkinson patients to detect the abnormal build-up of the alpha-synuclein protein—but in the skin cells, not the brain cells.
The abnormal build-up of the protein is known to be associated with Parkinson’s, but can it be detected earlier?
The article quotes professor Uri Ashery, who along with Ph.D. student Ofir Sade, lead the research team: “Today, diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is based mainly on clinical symptoms such as tremors or gait dysfunctions, alongside relevant questionnaires. However, these symptoms usually appear at a relatively advanced stage of the disease … Consequently, available treatments are quite limited in their effect, and usually address only motor problems. In this study we began to develop a research tool to enable diagnosis of Parkinson’s at a much earlier stage, when it is still treatable, and deterioration can be prevented.”
Adds Sade: “One known feature of Parkinson’s is cell death resulting from aggregates of the alpha-synuclein protein. The protein begins to aggregate about 15 years before symptoms appear, and cells begin to die 5–10 years before diagnosis is possible with the means available today. This means that we have an extensive time window of up to 20 years for diagnosis and prevention, before symptoms appear. If we can identify the process at an early stage, in people who are 30, 40, or 50 years old, we may be able to prevent further protein aggregation and cell death.”
The researchers examined skin biopsies from seven people with Parkinson’s, and seven people without.
Sade explains: “We examined the samples under a unique microscope, applying an innovative technique called super-resolution imaging, combined with advanced computational analysis—enabling us to map the aggregates and distribution of alpha-synuclein molecules. As expected, we found more protein aggregates in people with Parkinson’s compared to people without the disease. We also identified damage to nerve cells in the skin, in areas with a large concentration of the pathological protein.”
If the results prove out in further testing, the researchers explain, “Our method can be used to identify early signs and enable preventive treatment in young people at risk for developing Parkinson’s later on in their lives. In the future the Technology may also be adapted for early diagnosis of other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.”
Even without including Alzheimer’s disease, the impact could be huge. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of Parkinson’s has doubled in the past 25 years. There are about 8.5 million people with the disease worldwide, the majority of whom are over 60.
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