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Medical News Today
a day ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Skin swabs may help detect Parkinson's years before symptoms appear
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, nor are there specific tests for early diagnosis. A new study has identified a way to detect the condition before symptoms appear through the use of skin swabs via sebum and smell. The swabs could offer a noninvasive way to help diagnose Parkinson's disease in people who have not yet developed symptoms. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, more than 10 million people around the world are living with Parkinson's disease — a neurological disease that negatively impacts a person's movement and speech is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. Although right now there are no specific tests to help diagnose the condition, identifying warning signs of Parkinson's disease as early as possible is critical in helping to slow disease progression. 'Current clinical diagnosis is too late as disease has progressed a lot,' Drupad K. Trivedi, PhD, lecturer in analytical and measurement science at the University of Manchester, told Medical News Today. Trivedi is the corresponding author of a new study recently published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease that has identified a way to detect the condition before symptoms appear through the use of skin swabs. 'Smelling' signs of Parkinson's diseaseFor this study, scientists focused on testing study participants by using skin swabs of their sebum — an oily substance naturally produced by the skin's sebaceous the skin swabs, Trivedi said they were able to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the sebum. Different VOCs have a distinct smell, which is what helps make each person's body odor unique. 'We have found a few compounds that are expressed differently in people with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy controls as well as those who had REM sleep behavior disorder. A test that is a simple skin swab can potentially be the first test to detect Parkinson's before all the clinical signs start appearing.' — Drupad K. Trivedi, PhDThis study is an extension of two previous studies conducted by Trivedi and his team. The first study in March 2019 identified the presence of VOC biomarkers in the sebum of people with Parkinson's disease that also has a distinct smell. A second study in February 2021 that found a differential VOC profile between participants with Parkinson's disease and controls when analyzing their sebum. All of this research was reportedly inspired by Joy Milne, a research associate at the University of Manchester, who has a condition called hyperosmia, giving her an extremely strong sense of smell. In 2015, it was reported that Milne was able to 'smell' Parkinson's disease on her husband about six years before he received his concept of 'smelling' Parkinson's disease was further validated in a study recently published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease — for which Trivedi was also part of the research team — that found trained dogs could detect an odor on skin swabs to detect Parkinson's disease. Sebum compound levels may indicate Parkinson's diseaseResearchers recruited 83 study participants. Of this number, 46 had a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, 28 were healthy controls, and nine had isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD), which is considered to be an early warning sign of Parkinson's disease. Upon analysis, Trivedi and his team found that 55 significant features in the sebum that varied between the groups, and those with iRBD had levels in between those with Parkinson's disease and the healthy controls.'There were 55 features that showed levels for iRBD between healthy and Parkinson's disease,' Trivedi detailed. 'iRBD is one of the prodromal symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This means a good proportion of individuals suffering from iRBD may develop Parkinson's disease in the next decade or more. The intermediate level indicates a progression from control to iRDB to Parkinson's disease.' 'By early detection, we will be able to triage and offer advanced clinical tests, specialist support for confirmatory diagnosis without relying on physical symptoms to appear,' he continued. 'It also creates a potential to develop disease-modifying therapies in the future.' 'Next steps are to quantify these observed compounds in Parkinson's disease and iRBD, and also validate these findings in a long-term prospective study of [a] bigger iRBD cohort,' Trivedi added. Sebum VOCs may also help map Parkinson's progressionAdditionally, Trivedi collected sebum samples from people with Parkinson's disease over a three-year period. From these samples, he was able to find sebum compound patterns that suggest this method may also be used to map disease progression. 'This indicates that molecules we see on (the) skin surface may indicate progression of Parkinson's disease — it is a progressive disease with no cure,' he explained. 'A sudden, rapid progression could be monitored in future using such markers on [the] skin surface. There is also a potential to monitor [the] efficacy of treatment by such an approach.'Possible noninvasive tool for diagnosing presymptomatic Parkinson'sMNT also spoke with Rocco DiPaola, MD, a neurologist and movement disorder specialist at Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this study. DiPaola commented that this study's results would offer a noninvasive tool for potentially diagnosing presymptomatic Parkinson's disease. 'While there are currently no treatments that prevent or slow the progression of disease, as these treatments become available, it will be important to identify those at risk prior to symptom onset,' he continued. 'Further studies on a larger scale to further determine validity of results as well as a means to have this available as a standardized test. Although not specific to this study, it would be important to continue to find ways to diagnose Parkinson's disease prior to symptom onset.'
Fox News
15-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
New weekly injection for Parkinson's could replace daily pill for millions, study suggests
A new weekly injectable drug could transform the lives of more than eight million people living with Parkinson's disease, potentially replacing the need for daily pills. Scientists from the University of South Australia (UniSA) developed a long-acting injectable formulation that provides two key Parkinson's medications for an entire week. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, which is the second-most common neurological disorder, affecting more than one million Americans, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. To manage symptoms like tremors, rigidity and slow movement, patients typically take daily oral medications, such as levodopa and carbidopa, according to the university's press release. This method can be especially difficult for individuals who have trouble swallowing or are otherwise unable to take the pills consistently, leading to irregular medication levels, increased side effects and reduced effectiveness. Levodopa is the "gold-standard therapy for Parkinson's," according to lead researcher Professor Sanjay Garg at UniSA, but its short lifespan means it must be taken several times a day. The researchers tested an injectable gel implant that combines an FDA-approved biodegradable substance with a pH-sensitive substance to achieve a controlled and sustained drug release. The gel is injected through a single shot under the skin or into the muscle tissue, which means there's no need for a surgical implant and discomfort is minimal, they noted. The team found that the gel gradually released the key Parkinson's medications (90% of the levodopa drug and 81% of the carbidopa) over the course of one week. The findings were published in the journal Drug Delivery and Translational Research. "Reducing the frequency of dosing from multiple times a day to a weekly injection is a major step forward in Parkinson's therapy," Garg said in the release. "We're not just improving how the drug is delivered; we're improving patients' lives." Extensive lab tests confirmed the system's effectiveness and safety. "We're not just improving how the drug is delivered; we're improving patients' lives." The implant degraded by over 80% within a week and showed no significant toxicity in cell viability tests. "The implications of this research are profound," Garg added. Deepa Nakmode, a PhD student at the University of South Australia, noted that this method is designed to release both levodopa and carbidopa steadily over one week, maintaining consistent plasma levels and reducing the risks associated with fluctuating drug concentrations. "After years of focused research, it's incredibly rewarding to see our innovation in long-acting injectables for Parkinson's disease reach this stage," he said in the release. The team's invention has now been filed for an Australian patent, Nakmode added. The technology could also be adapted for other chronic conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, chronic pain and infections that require long-term drug delivery, according to Garg. The system can be tuned to release drugs over a period ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on therapeutic needs. For more Health articles, visit Scientists hope to start clinical trials in the near future and are exploring opportunities to make the gel commercially available.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Leading Parkinson's Advocacy Groups Urge Strong Federal Investment in Biomedical Research
NEW YORK , June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Congress works to set funding levels for the National Institutes of Health, The American Parkinson Disease Association, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and The Parkinson's Foundation call on lawmakers to ensure that a robustly funded, collaborative NIH — the essential engine of medical progress and hope for millions of Americans — is a cornerstone of the nation's budget today and in the future. Decades of dedicated scientific investigation and bipartisan support for NIH have advanced the search for next-generation treatments and brought us to the brink of transformative breakthroughs in Parkinson's care. Sustained federal investment also has contributed to recent discoveries that have unlocked brand-new understanding of shared biology across the major brain diseases, positioning the field to make even more rapid gains within the next decade. Any reorganization of NIH must be guided by these new scientific insights— with input from patients and families — to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes. It is imperative that we preserve and build on this progress by increasing investment in our national scientific enterprise through NIH on behalf of the 1 million Americans living with Parkinson's, their families and the millions more whose lives are touched by neurodegenerative disease, such as Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This is the future our country needs and deserves. Our organizations have demonstrated the power of public-private partnership to drive scientific progress, delivering results for patients and families. We and our nationwide network of advocates will support every effort to keep this critical work moving forward through the appropriations process and in any consideration of a reorganization of NIH. We trust our nation's leaders to join us in this vital mission. About The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a nationwide grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson's disease (PD) and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million with PD in the United States live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder. Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $313 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding $2.5 billion in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; creates a robust open- access data set and biosample library to speed scientific breakthroughs and treatment with its landmark clinical study, PPMI; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For more information, visit us at Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About the Parkinson's Foundation The Parkinson's Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson's disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson's community. Since 1957, the Parkinson's Foundation has invested more than $474 million in Parkinson's research and clinical care. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram or call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636). View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research; The Parkinson's Foundation; The American Parkinson Disease Association
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Inside Michael J Fox's miraculous Parkinson's turnaround... but it marks a troubling new health milestone
Michael J Fox will make an extraordinary return to acting after three decades with Parkinson's disease, which is surging in the US. Fox, 63, was diagnosed at just 29 years old with Parkinson's disease, a progressive brain disorder caused by the death of nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. This leads to movement and speech issues that worsen over time. Though the 'Back to the Future' star managed to hide his disease from the public eye for seven years, he began appearing on screen less often as he had more trouble walking, talking and controlling tremors. However, Fox announced this week he is returning to acting for the first time in five years, starring alongside Harrison Ford and Jason Segal in 'Shrinking' in an undisclosed role. Though it's unclear what his current treatment plan looks like, Fox's recovery could be from a slew of new treatments approved by the FDA in recent years, many of which his foundation has funded. But his return to form comes as Parkinson's rises in the US, with over 1million Americans now suffering from the disease. Experts are unsure what exactly is behind the troubling milestone, but recent research suggests environmental toxins and diet could be to blame. The above graph from the journal Neurology shows the increase in Parkinson's cases and deaths in the US from 1990 to 2019 The Parkinson's Foundation estimates 1.2million Americans will be diagnosed with Parkinson's by 2030, and 90,000 are struck by the disease every year. This is a 50 percent increase from the previously estimated rate of 60,000 a decade ago, the foundation estimates. Experts believe environmental factors could partly be to blame for the rise of Parkinson's disease in the US. Researchers in Minnesota, for example, found exposure to the pollutant particulate matter, PM2.5, raised the risk of Parkinson's disease by 36 percent. Another study published earlier this month also found consuming at least 11 servings of ultraprocessed food in a day increased the risk of early Parkinson's symptoms by damaging dopamine-producing neurons. There are roughly 35,000 deaths per year. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but medications and other treatments can help replace lost dopamine and keep symptoms at bay. The most common, Levodopa, crosses the blood-brain barrier to convert itself into dopamine, controlling balance issues and tremors. Fox has previously said he takes Levodopa, though it's unclear if he still takes it. In 2015, the actor underwent deep brain stimulation. This is a surgical procedure that involves making small holes in the brain and implanting electrodes. Using a device on the chest resembling a pacemakers, electrical zaps get sent through the electrodes. In Parkinson's disease, it has been shown to interrupt faulty nerve signals in the brain, controlling movements. Fox is also seen in his 2023 documentary 'Still' working with a physical therapist on walking. According to Johns Hopkins, physical therapy can help Parkinson's patients improve balance and coordination, as well as stiffness and rigidity caused the lack of dopamine. He also has used speech therapy, as Parkinson's disease damages muscles responsible for speaking and swallowing. This therapy may have helped him maintain the ability to speak and recite lines for acting jobs. Though it's unclear if Fox has received experimental or newer treatments, his foundation has helped fund several of the newest Parkinson's therapies. These include a different form of deep brain stimulation called adaptive deep brain stimulation, which adapts electrical impulses in real-time based on symptoms. This means it can sense and adjust when a patient's brain activity changes, offering a more personalized approach. Adaptive deep brain stimulation was just approved by the FDA for Parkinson's in February and is expected to be widely available later this year. The Michael J Fox Foundation has also funded two medications placed under the tongue and inhaled that are meant to 'rescue' Parkinson's patients during 'off' episodes and quickly alleviate symptoms.
