Blood Biomarker Could Mark Severe Cognitive Decline, Quicker Progression Among Parkinson's Patients.

A genetic mutation, known as GBA, that leads to early onset of Parkinson's disease and severe cognitive impairment (in about 4 to 7 percent of all patients with the disease) also alters how specific lipids, ceramides and glucosylceramides are metabolized.

Mayo Clinic researchers have found that Parkinson's patients who do not carry the genetic mutation also have higher levels of these lipids in the blood. Further, those who had Parkinson's and high blood levels were also more likely to have cognitive impairment and dementia. The research was recently published online in the journal PLOS ONE.

The discovery could be an important warning for those with Parkinson's disease.........There is a suggestion this blood lipid marker also could help to predict who will develop Parkinson's disease and this research is ongoing.

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