A Blood Test for Parkinson’s Disease
April 11, 2017 | Terry Sharrer
When body cells die their debris ends up in blood. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that when nerve cells in the brain, such as those in the substantia nigra, die they leave proteomic evidence. This is indicated in Parkinson’s disease, but also in atypical Parkinson disorders (APDs) like multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. A concentration of neurofilament light chain proteins in blood distinguishes PD from the APDs, though as yet it hasn’t led to differentiation between the APDs, according to Lund University scientists in Sweden. MORE
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