Parkinson's disease biomarkers: bridging the gap between diagnosis and treatment

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder difficult to diagnose and treat because of the unavailability of reliable biomarkers. Symptoms like difficulty in movement and cognitive decline help doctors to diagnose the disease, which often appear only after significant damage has occurred in the brain. Recent research has led to the discovery of potential biomarkers, including biochemical changes in cerebrospinal fluid, genetic mutations, brain imaging findings, and markers of inflammation. Among these, α-synuclein, microRNAs, tau proteins, and inflammatory molecules show promise in detecting Parkinson's disease at an early stage, distinguishing it from similar conditions, and tracking disease progression. Advances in neuroimaging and fluid-based biomarkers also provide new insights into how the disease develops and spreads. This review highlights the recent breakthroughs in Parkinson's disease biomarker research and their potential to improve early diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and develop treatments that could slow disease progression. Using a combination of multiple biomarkers may offer the best approach for more precise and personalized care for people with Parkinson's.