Parkinson's disease affects over 1.1 million people in the United States and gradually destroys the brain cells that control movement. By the time symptoms such as tremor appear, patients have already lost around half of the affected brain cells, so earlier detection is important.
Researchers used positron emission tomography (PET) to measure two brain markers: dopamine transporters, which are involved in uptake of dopamine, and synaptic density, which reflects the health and number of connections between brain cells. The study included 30 patients with Parkinson's disease and 13 healthy volunteers. Each person underwent two PET scans: one tracer measured dopamine transporters as an index of dopamine neurons, and a second tracer measured synaptic density. The team compared these measurements in the brain regions most affected by Parkinson's.
The researchers found that in healthy participants the two markers correlated in the striatum, but that relationship deteriorated in people with Parkinson's. They also observed that dopamine neuron loss was greater than synaptic loss and that differences were larger at more advanced stages. Combining imaging markers gives a clearer view of disease development and may help target the underlying biology. The work appears in Movement Disorders and was supported by the National Institutes of Health, Yale University and AbbVie.
Difficult words
- positron emission tomography — brain imaging method that uses radioactive tracersPET
- dopamine transporter — protein involved in uptake of dopaminedopamine transporters
- synaptic density — amount and health of connections between neurons
- striatum — brain region involved in movement and reward
- correlate — show a relationship between two measurementscorrelated
- tracer — small radioactive substance used in PET scans
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could earlier detection of Parkinson's change patient care or daily life? Give two reasons.
- Why might combining two imaging markers give a clearer view of disease development?
- What problems do you think doctors face when trying to detect Parkinson's earlier?
Related articles
AI expands sexual and reproductive health information in Peru and Argentina
Health groups in Peru and Argentina use artificial intelligence to give sexual and reproductive health information to young and marginalised people. Projects include a Quechua chatbot and a WhatsApp platform, but experts warn of bias and access problems.
Study: Industrial Revolution pollution affected people unevenly in England
A study in Science Advances used bones and historical records to track pollution exposure during the Industrial Revolution. Researchers analysed remains from 94 people in industrial South Shields and rural Barton-upon-Humber and found uneven, gendered exposure.
Wildfire smoke in late pregnancy linked to higher autism risk
A study of more than 200,000 births in Southern California found that exposure to wildfire smoke during the third trimester was associated with higher autism diagnoses by age five. Researchers say the results are not conclusive and need more study.
New drug pair helps fight rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis
Scientists paired rifampicin with a probe called AAP-SO2 that binds bacterial RNA polymerase at a different site and slows transcription. The pair killed resistant mutants in culture and was especially effective in a rabbit model.