Possible new Parkinson's biomarker found… it's in the blood

Knowledge
12 Mar 2021

Researchers have discovered that changes in people with Parkinson's blood occur years before a diagnosis is made.

A brand new study published last month in the Annals of Neurology found that the blood of people who later went on to develop Parkinson's disease had a lower lymphocyte count than those without. They also found that this change could occur at least eight years prior to a diagnosis.

The team have suggested that this blood biomarker could indicate that lower lymphocyte count is a risk factor for developing Parkinson's and hold hope that it may lead to a potential for much earlier diagnosis of the condition.

You can read a more detailed account of the study in The Conversation, with one of the research team, Alistair Noyce, or find the published article 'Lower Lymphocyte Count is Associated With Increased Risk of Parkinson's Disease' through open access.

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