Scientists hopeful of game changing Parkinson’s test able to predict condition seven years before first symptoms
With help from artificial intelligence, researchers have identified a biological signature of Parkinson’s disease they hope could lead to a simple blood test for the condition at least seven years before symptoms appear.
A predictive test for Parkinson’s could be game changing.
The progressive condition affects more than 150,000 people in the UK and is currently the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder.
Parkinson’s is a broad spectrum of conditions, but the most common symptoms are slowness of movement, tremors, and muscle stiffness.
There are currently no drugs that slow or stop Parkinson’s, and efforts to develop preventative treatments are hampered by the ability to know whether someone is going to develop the condition.
Like many progressive neurological conditions, by the time symptoms emerge, the damage to brain cells caused by Parkinson’s has already occurred.
“At present, we are shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, and we need to start experimental treatments before patients develop symptoms,” said Professor Kevin Mills at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, who helped develop the blood test.
Using machine learning – a form of artificial intelligence – researchers from University College London and University Medical Centre in Goettingen, Sweden, screened blood samples from people with Parkinson’s and detected eight key proteins or “biomarkers” common to those with the condition.
They then used their machine learning tool to analyse blood samples taken a decade ago from people with a sleep condition called Rapid Eye Movement Disorder, around 75% of whom go on to develop Parkinson’s.
The AI has so far been able to correctly predict which patients went on to develop Parkinson’s and did so up to seven years before symptoms first appeared.
“By determining eight proteins in the blood, we can identify potential Parkinson’s patients several years in advance,” said Dr Michale Bartl at UMC Goettingen.
“This means that drug therapies could potentially be given at an earlier stage, which could possibly slow down disease progression or even prevent it from occurring.”
The researchers have more work to do to validate the tests’ accuracy and develop a version that could be easily used in a clinic.
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“If replicated in larger studies, these tests or panels may prove to be invaluable in supporting the diagnosis of Parkinson’s,” said neurologist Professor Ray Chaudhuri, at King’s College in London.
In the short term, a test could be used to replace the invasive lumbar puncture technique currently required to confirm Parkinson’s.
A blood test that predicts Parkinson’s years in advance may be key to accelerating clinical trials – but it’s not without ethical hurdles, says Professor Chaudhuri.
Currently, doctors have no drugs to prevent or stop Parkinson’s – so is it right to offer people a test?
Gary Shaughnessy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s nine years ago and recognises the dilemma.
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He said: “I hate having Parkinson’s so why would I want to know having it for one second more than is absolutely necessary?”
However, he argues there are actions people can take to mitigate the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
His is exercise – he’s a competitive marathon runner.
But he also recognises, having a predictive test for Parkinson’s could be a key step towards developing new treatments.
“If we can make progress on a cure or treatments, it may be too late from my perspective, but it we could do something for other people that would be brilliant,” he said.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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