A study has confirmed the build-up of a certain protein in the brains of most Parkinson’s patients. A new technique called αSyn-SAA, which analyses clusters of protein, came back positive for 88% of all Parkinson’s patients.

Parkinson’s Disease affects millions of people worldwide. It is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. Currently, Parkinson’s diagnosis relies heavily on clinical observations and medical history, which can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. However, a breakthrough test is changing the game when it comes to Parkinson’s diagnosis. This “game-changer” test has huge implications for accurately identifying the disease at an early stage, allowing for faster and more effective treatment options. In this article, we explore how this test works and its potential impact on the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s Disease.


In a groundbreaking study published in Lancet Neurology, a new technique has been discovered that could potentially be a game changer for the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, affecting over 8.5 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

The study confirms that a certain protein usually builds up in the brains of most Parkinson’s patients; specifically, accumulated clusters of the alpha-synuclein protein are misfolded, or incorrectly folded. A simple test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease has been challenging to develop, and doctors usually diagnose Parkinson’s only once symptoms appear. However, the recent study using the new technique, called αSyn-SAA, that amplifies and analyses clusters of the tiny protein has the ability to diagnose Parkinson’s disease earlier.

More than 1,100 participants took part in the study, nearly half of whom had previously been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, while others were deemed at risk, as well as a healthy control group. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, were taken from each participant. The technique, αSyn-SAA, came back positive for 88 percent of all those previously diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, it was less successful for patients carrying a gene variant known as LRRK2 linked to certain forms of the disease, as it only identified 68 percent of diagnosed patients.

The finding “lays the foundation for a biological diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease,” said Daniela Berg and Christine Klein, neurologists at Germany’s University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein in a linked comment piece. Berg and Klein also noted that the technique “is a game-changer in Parkinson’s disease diagnostics, research, and treatment trials.”

Despite these groundbreaking findings, a simple test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease is still a long way off. It also remains to be seen whether the technique works when using a blood sample, which is far easier to extract than cerebrospinal fluid.

Parkinson’s disease causes uncontrollable movements such as shaking, as well as sleep and mental health disorders. The symptoms get worse over time, and eventually patients can struggle to walk or talk. With this new technique, there is renewed hope for an earlier diagnosis and potentially more effective treatments for Parkinson’s disease.


In conclusion, the game-changer test for Parkinson’s diagnosis has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach and manage the disease. By detecting Parkinson’s years before the onset of symptoms, it allows for earlier intervention and treatment, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients. The implications of this test extend not only to individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s but also to their families and caregivers. The research and development of this test is a significant step forward in our understanding of Parkinson’s disease, and we can only hope that it will continue to pave the way for more innovative approaches to better diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, finding a cure.