New Blood Test Shows Potential in Revolutionizing
Post# of 151
(Total Views: 72)
Posted On: 04/15/2025 4:42:06 PM
New Blood Test Shows Potential in Revolutionizing Early Parkinson’s Detection
A team of researchers has developed a “cost-effective” and simple blood test with the potential to detect Parkinson’s disease years before the disease’s symptoms start manifesting. The study’s findings appeared in the Nature Aging journal.
Approximately 153,000 individuals live with Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom, and the team that conducted this recent research is optimistic that their innovation could revolutionize how early the disease can be detected. This early diagnosis would then allow treatment teams to initiate interventions that improve the clinical outcomes for patients.
The new test developed focuses on analyzing fragments of transfer RNA (tRFs), which are tiny pieces of genetic material that can be detected in blood samples. The team was specifically interested in a particular repetitive sequence of RNA that has been known to accumulate in the blood of patients living with Parkinson’s disease.
At the same time, the test also analyzes the rate at which mitochondria RNA declines. Patients with Parkinson’s have been known to manifest declines in these organelles that play the crucial role of generating energy within body cells.
By establishing the ratio between tRFs and declines in mitochondrial RNA, the team discovered a reliable way to non-invasively diagnose Parkinson’s early on during its development so that early treatments and interventions can be started to change the progression of this disease. The test is quick and affordable as well.
When compared to the existing tests capable of detecting Parkinson’s early, the new test performed better than diagnostic methods currently in use.
The diagnostic test leverages PCR technology, the same technology that was widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide conclusive diagnoses among people suspected to have the disease. The Parkinson’s test amplifies the target genetic material so that the neurodegenerative disease can be detected.
The new test allows medical teams to detect the molecular changes which take place very early during the onset of Parkinson’s disease and take action long before the disease can progress to the level of triggering its known symptoms, such as mobility challenges.
More work needs to be done to test this system further and validate its results, especially in establishing how this blood test is able to pinpoint Parkinson’s and not other diseases which may have similar early signs as those characteristic of Parkinson’s.
If this test proves to be a reliable diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease and is commercialized, there will be an opportunity for any approved Parkinson’s medications from entities like Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) to be prescribed to help patients long before the neurodegenerative condition has started taking a toll. When interventions are started early, the likelihood of favorable outcomes could increase significantly.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLNN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
A team of researchers has developed a “cost-effective” and simple blood test with the potential to detect Parkinson’s disease years before the disease’s symptoms start manifesting. The study’s findings appeared in the Nature Aging journal.
Approximately 153,000 individuals live with Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom, and the team that conducted this recent research is optimistic that their innovation could revolutionize how early the disease can be detected. This early diagnosis would then allow treatment teams to initiate interventions that improve the clinical outcomes for patients.
The new test developed focuses on analyzing fragments of transfer RNA (tRFs), which are tiny pieces of genetic material that can be detected in blood samples. The team was specifically interested in a particular repetitive sequence of RNA that has been known to accumulate in the blood of patients living with Parkinson’s disease.
At the same time, the test also analyzes the rate at which mitochondria RNA declines. Patients with Parkinson’s have been known to manifest declines in these organelles that play the crucial role of generating energy within body cells.
By establishing the ratio between tRFs and declines in mitochondrial RNA, the team discovered a reliable way to non-invasively diagnose Parkinson’s early on during its development so that early treatments and interventions can be started to change the progression of this disease. The test is quick and affordable as well.
When compared to the existing tests capable of detecting Parkinson’s early, the new test performed better than diagnostic methods currently in use.
The diagnostic test leverages PCR technology, the same technology that was widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide conclusive diagnoses among people suspected to have the disease. The Parkinson’s test amplifies the target genetic material so that the neurodegenerative disease can be detected.
The new test allows medical teams to detect the molecular changes which take place very early during the onset of Parkinson’s disease and take action long before the disease can progress to the level of triggering its known symptoms, such as mobility challenges.
More work needs to be done to test this system further and validate its results, especially in establishing how this blood test is able to pinpoint Parkinson’s and not other diseases which may have similar early signs as those characteristic of Parkinson’s.
If this test proves to be a reliable diagnostic tool for Parkinson’s disease and is commercialized, there will be an opportunity for any approved Parkinson’s medications from entities like Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) to be prescribed to help patients long before the neurodegenerative condition has started taking a toll. When interventions are started early, the likelihood of favorable outcomes could increase significantly.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Clene Inc. (NASDAQ: CLNN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CLNN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
(0)
(0)