Unraveling Parkinson's: Immune cells key to early diagnosis
Scientists have found that certain immune cells (T cells) start reacting to brain proteins linked to Parkinson's disease years before any symptoms show up.
This discovery could help doctors spot the disease much earlier than before.
Study details and findings
The study saw higher T cell activity against key brain proteins in people already diagnosed with Parkinson's, as well as those at risk due to genetics or early warning signs.
Men with Parkinson's had a big spike—six times more PINK1-targeting T cells than healthy men—while women showed a smaller increase.
Both men and women at risk had raised levels.
Implications of the study
These findings suggest blood tests could one day catch Parkinson's long before movement problems begin, opening the door for earlier treatment.
It also hints that targeting these immune responses might slow down or prevent the disease, which is especially important since Parkinson's appears to be partly autoimmune.