Senior Health Five Advances in Parkinson’s Research 8/1/2023 | By Kari Smith A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can be frightening for patients and their families. Although there are treatments for PD symptoms, the disease has no cure. Advances in Parkinson’s research offer hope in the form of breakthroughs in treatment to improve a patient’s quality of life. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the body’s nervous system. Symptoms worsen over time and include shaking, stiffness, and issues with balance or coordination. They may also include changes in behavior and sleep, as well as depression, fatigue, and issues with memory or attention. Fortunately, research continues for those suffering with the disease, recently been five recent developments. Five recent advances in Parkinson’s research 1. Parkinson’s biomarker Researchers announced they have discovered a biomarker for Parkinson’s disease. What is a biomarker (also known as a molecular marker or signature molecule)? A biomarker is a molecule found in blood, body fluid, or tissue and is a sign or “marker” of a specific potential process, condition, or a disease. It may also indicate how a body may respond to certain treatments. And why is this important? This particular biomarker is a normal protein called alpha-synuclein found in the body’s cells. If the proteins are abnormal – specifically misfolded and clumped – this can damage neurons and cause PD to develop. The presence of this biomarker can indicate, with high accuracy, the presence of Parkinson’s Disease even if the patient is not yet showing symptoms. It can also indicate that the patient is at high risk of developing the disease. This knowledge can provide improved, targeted treatment options and early diagnosis, potentially slowing the advancement of symptoms. Before discovering this biomarker, these clumps could only be found post-mortem. This discovery, funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, also helps to advance the search for new PD treatments. The next three studies are being funded by the Parkinson’s Foundation. 2. Environmental factors Dr. Briana De Miranda is studying the environmental factors in Parkinson’s Disease to determine whether environmental contaminants increase risk for developing Parkinson’s. Specifically, De Miranda studied certain chemicals found in pesticides and other environmental contaminants that disrupt the mitochondria of the cell and cause an activation of the protein affected by one of the most commonly inherited Parkinson’s genetic mutations. Her work hopes to address the possibilities of modifying the environment preventing Parkinson’s. Related: 10 early signs of Parkinson’s disease 3. Gut microbiome connections Dr. Timothy Sampson is studying how Parkinson’s-linked pesticides affect the gut microbiome (the bacteria and microbes in a person’s intestinal tract). This is important since it has been shown that people with Parkinson’s have a different gut microbiome, manifesting in conditions such as constipation and IBD, even before movement symptoms begin. So, what are the triggers that cause this? Sampson hopes that by identifying the changes in the gut microbiome, that he can link how the chemicals in specific insecticides can activate issues in the intestinal track and trigger symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 4. Cognitive connections What is the root cause of motor symptoms and disease progression in Parkinson’s disease? In tackling Parkinson’s research, Dr. Kevin Wilkins is studying how cognitive issues in PD impact movement symptoms in order to improve therapy. Wilkins is studying how cognitive issues in Parkinson’s disease may impact movement symptoms. Although many people think of Parkinson’s as a disease affecting movement, it is important to note that patients may also develop cognitive issues and issues with memory or attention. Therapies are available for issues with movement, so Dr. Wilkins is hoping to address other symptoms and develop appropriate treatments. 5. Predicting PD with smartwatches Smartwatches may be able to predict Parkinson’s disease years before symptoms present by analyzing a patient’s motion data using accelerometry. What is accelerometry (also known as accelerometery or actigraphy)? If you’ve had a sleep study, you probably wore a device strapped around your chest during the study. The device records your movements, which can then be studied and assessed to help determine sleep issues. Smartwatches that contain accelerometer data are similarly used to track movement and can record changes over time. Because Parkinson’s disease causes a patient to gradually lose body control and eventually to suffer from tremors, an accelerometer can sense and track those progressive changes. An early diagnosis can improve treatment. Further work still needs to be done in comparing these studies to other data to check for continued accuracy before smartwatches as predictors can be put into practice. The potential of receiving an early PD diagnosis leads to the question of whether patients would want to know of a future diagnosis before even showing symptoms, potentially even years before. Dr. Kathryn Peall, who worked on the study, addressed this question. In an interview with BBC news, Peall stated that not only does the study appear to be accurate, but that it was able to effectively distinguish symptoms of Parkinson’s disease from other movement issues such as mobility issues in old age, weakness, or those with other neurodegenerative disorders such as those with osteoarthritis. In regards to the availability of this knowledge, she states that it should remain an individual, personal patient choice whether or not to find out whether one is likely to develop Parkinson’s before symptoms develop. “Where this work is potentially important to the field is that we ultimately hope that new therapies that allow us to slow disease progression will become available,” Peall added. For those suffering with PD, or with loved ones suffering with the disease, this is good news. Read More Kari Smith Kari Smith is a frequent contributor to Seniors Guide, helping to keep those in the senior industry informed and up-to-date. She's a Virginia native whose love of writing began as a songwriter recording her own music. In addition to teaching music and performing in the Richmond area, Kari also enjoys riding horses and farming.