Parkinson's Timely diagnosis through skin sample

Parkinson's: Skin sample could allow for earlier diagnosis

06/05/2014

In Germany, hundreds of thousands of people suffer from the neurodegenerative disease Parkinson's disease. Despite all medical advances, the disease can usually only be diagnosed at an advanced stage. But with the help of a skin sample could be possible in the future an earlier diagnosis.

Usually only to be diagnosed at an advanced stage
So far, the neurodegenerative disease Parkinson's disease can usually only be diagnosed at an advanced stage. This could change in the future, at least in some patients. It may be possible to detect the disease at an early stage via a skin sample. In one study, Würzburg researchers found deposits of a specific protein in nerve fibers of the skin in half of the patients examined. As the Julius-Maximilians-University announced, Parkinson can be seen in the future possibly early and secure. In addition, it offers the opportunity to explore the disease mechanisms in more detail.

Diagnosis of the symptoms
In the neurodegenerative disease, clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein accumulate in brain cells. However, this can only be proven after death. So far, the diagnosis is essentially about the symptoms that occur at an advanced stage. Decreasing the sense of smell, persistent constipation, urinary and erectile dysfunction problems, depressive moods, general fatigue, poor memory, sweating, insomnia, and inner restlessness are among the first signs of the disease. From these early symptoms, however, can not make a reliable diagnosis, since they also occur in many other diseases. The later symptoms include a slowing of the movement and action sequences as well as pain and tension on the musculoskeletal system, especially neck tension. In addition, the face becomes a kind of mask face and balance disorders occur as well as the typical tremor, the first on one side of the body and usually in the hand or arm begins.

Recognize illness early
The Würzburg neurologists examined 31 Parkinson's patients and a healthy comparison group for the study published in the journal "Acta Neuropathologica". As the chairman of the German Parkinson Society, the Tübingen professor Daniela Berg, according to the press agency dpa said, it has been known for some time that nerve cells of different areas are affected by the deposits. The expert rated the study as important for the clinical diagnosis. "However, only about half of all patients were able to detect alpha-synuclein deposits and several biopsies per patient were performed." It was important how early the disease can be detected. "If you could use it in the early diagnosis, that would be an important building block." According to Alzheimer Parkinson's is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. According to the German Society of Neurology, about 250,000 to 280,000 people are affected in Germany. (Sb)