This is a novel way of investigating a defective Blood-Brain Barrier, (BBB).

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=htt...Jz6H5Dhs3D8pKA

Tim Mhyre says:

"Brains are mysterious things. Hidden behind the protective skull and blood-brain barrier," .... there is no way to effectively diagnose many of the disorders that cripple it – much less predict their development."
However, if the BBB is defective, analysis of the blood that flows through the brain can give new information

"So he asks – why can’t it tell us about Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in about six million Americans, as well as traumatic brain injury (TBI),"
"....these diseases promote a breakdown in the blood-brain barrier that normally restricts passage of biological materials in to and out of the brain. So these substances leak into the blood, Mhyre says, and can be collected through a simple blood draw in the arm."

I think it is not the PD that causes the defective BBB, but the defective BBB causes the disease. However, it is a novel idea to measure what comes OUT of the brain and into the blood that does not normally leak out in a healthy person. As he says, it could be a surefire way of diagnosing PD. Then you could follow progression of the disease by a simple blood test, and also evaluate treatments, by following what gets into the bloodstream which normally should not be there.
Ron

If I remember correctly, the Australians have been working on developing a blood test to diagnose PD for a few years now. You may want to do a web search to see what you can find.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/04...nsons/784.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0426093416.htm


GregD

Thanks Ron and Greg!
Blood test for PD would be great. I often wondered if detecting alpha-synuclien or similar protein in the blood could be developed as a screening tool for PD. For some strange reason, I just assumed that it was tried and tested. Good to know some one is developing a test.

Laura, Just remembered your Biomarker post; this could be a serious biomarker for PD.

Girija