Published Date: 31 May 2007
Location: Lancaster
University's Parkinson Disease breakthrough





THE first ever blood test to detect Parkinson's disease could be on the horizon following research by Lancaster University scientists.
Researchers have discovered that alpha-synuclein – a protein that accumulates in parts of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease – can also be detected in the blood. The levels of a particular form of this protein appear to be altered in blood samples from patients with the disease.

Prof David Allsop has now been granted £396,000 by the Medical Research Council to lead a team of researchers from Lancaster University, Manchester University and Royal Preston Hospital to continue to explore the possibility that this protein could act as a marker for Parkinson's disease. The researchers will also carry out an extensive £860,000 drug trial funded by industrial collaborator Zyentia. Zyentia is developing new drugs aimed at preventing the degeneration and loss of brain nerve cells in Parkinson's disease. If successful, such drugs could slow or even stop the progression of the disease.

Tremors
Parkinson's is a common, incurable brain disease, with characteristic symptoms including tremors of the hands, muscle rigidity and slowness of movement. There are around 120,000 sufferers in the UK – one in 500 people – but diagnosis can be difficult and is currently based on taking a detailed clinical history and looking for evidence of the key symptoms.

However, diagnostic errors are common because Parkinson's is one of several neurological movement disorders with similar symptoms and there is no existing diagnostic test that can confirm the clinical diagnosis.

It is hoped alpha-synuclein will act as a reliable diagnostic marker, which could lead to the development of the first ever PD blood test enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

When coupled with earlier treatment, this would have the potential to transform the lives of those who suffer from this disease.

Prof Allsop, of Lancaster Unive-rsity's Department of Biology, said: "These new treatments could slow down or even halt the progress of the disease. Finding better ways of tackling this disease is a top priority."

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