I posted this today on Debi Brooks thread, but wanted to make a new thread here as well. Does anyone know whether anyone has ever looked at CRP levels (C-Reactive Protein) as a possible marker for PD? I know some people say there is an inflammation link to PD, and I believe CRP is the primary indication of inflammation. I ask because in the years preceding my diagnosis, my CRP levels went through the roof. Should be under 2, ideally under 1, mine were up to 8.1, 5.7, etc., for no known reason.

My understanding is that CRP is, indeed, the best measure for system problems but that it still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of precision.In PD, however, we are looking for neuroinflammation and it is even harder to pin down. The main differences between the two are that neuroinflammation is in the central nervous system (thus the difficulty) and, most importantly, that it involves the activation of microglia (T. Rex defenders of self who overdo it in PD).

One reason it might be important to know about ordinary inflammation is that its presence is one of the signals that kicks off the other.

Not aware of work on that particular marker (CRP) but know that researchers are looking a various inflammatory markers of PD.

Debi

...to monitor some of the half-dozen or so cytokines that are truly anti-inflammatory. TNFalpha in particular. It is quite possible that the right combination of anti-inflammatories may give startling results.

If any (patient or researcher) wish to go deeper into the subject, take a look at-
http://amatterofbalance.wordpress.co...oinflammation/

Rick