this showed up on our new links:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread41089.html

direct link to article:
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/538572/?sc=rsmn

Newswise — A test that profiles molecular biomarkers in blood could become the first accurate diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease, new research shows.

The screen relies on changes in dozens of small molecules in serum. These "metabolomic" alterations form a unique pattern in people with Parkinson's disease, according to a team led by researchers at the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

They published the findings in the journal Brain.



* the rest of the article is at the link.

I wonder if it can distinguish between PD and PD Plus disorders or multi-system atrophy? I'm sceptical about these markers.

Also, I think there are various causes of PD, so I wonder about their sample of PD patients. For example, even people in the same family with the same LRRK2 gene defect can have different symptoms and different brain pathology, seen at autopsy. Would their metabolites differ, too?