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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
08:09
Gene-environment Interaction Models to Unmask Susceptibility Mechanisms in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: January 7, 2014
Diagnostic markers for Parkinson's disease.
Lama M Chahine1, Matthew B Stern
1Penn Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Current Opinion in Neurology
|April 6, 2011
Summary
Early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is advancing with new clinical, lab, and imaging tests. These methods focus on preclinical detection, paving the way for future disease-modifying therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Parkinson's disease diagnosis often occurs after significant motor symptom progression.
- Early detection of preclinical Parkinson's disease is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in the early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
- To highlight methods for detecting preclinical Parkinson's disease.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical, laboratory, and imaging tests for early Parkinson's disease detection.
- Analysis of nonmotor symptoms, autonomic nervous system tests, and biomarkers.
- Evaluation of various imaging modalities like MRI and PET.
Main Results:
- Nonmotor features (sleep, neurobehavioral, olfactory) are potential early markers.
- Cardiac functional imaging can detect sympathetic denervation.
- Biomarkers like alpha-synuclein and DJ-1 in CSF and serum show promise.
- Advanced imaging techniques (ultrasonography, radiolabeled tracers, MRI) aid diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Multiple diagnostic modalities show potential for early and preclinical Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
- Future diagnosis will likely integrate clinical, laboratory, imaging, and genetic data.
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