US EditionBiomarker discovery may pave the way for early diagnosis of Parkinson's
The study reveals gene activity patterns linked to DNA repair and stress response that could enable blood test diagnosis within five years, affecting early-stage Parkinson's detection.
- On January 29, 2026, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and Oslo University Hospital reported blood biomarkers present before major brain damage in Parkinson's, with authors saying tests could be tried in healthcare within five years.
- The prodromal phase can last up to 20 years and marks a slow onset before motor symptoms, with common early signs like loss of sense of smell and constipation often preceding movement changes.
- Using machine learning, the researchers identified a distinct gene-activity pattern tied to DNA damage repair and cellular stress response that appeared only in prodromal-stage blood samples, absent in healthy and symptomatic patients, with a narrow detection window.
- The discovery reveals a window to detect disease earlier, offering a diagnostic window to identify Parkinson's in patients in the prodromal phase and supporting mechanism-focused treatments and drug repurposing.
- However, validated screening tests are not yet available, and researchers will now focus on mechanisms and tool development as Parkinson's affects more than 10 million people worldwide, with a 2050 projection to more than double.
10 Articles
10 Articles
Biomarker discovery may pave the way for early diagnosis of Parkinson's
A team led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has succeeded in identifying biomarkers for Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages, before extensive brain damage has occurred.
Early signs of Parkinson's can be identified in the blood
A team led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, has succeeded in identifying biomarkers for Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages, before extensive brain damage has occurred. The biological processes leave measurable traces in the blood, but only for a limited period.
A simple blood test could spot Parkinson’s years before symptoms
Scientists in Sweden and Norway have uncovered a promising way to spot Parkinson’s disease years—possibly decades—before its most damaging symptoms appear. By detecting subtle biological signals in the blood tied to how cells handle stress and repair DNA, the team identified a brief early window when Parkinson’s quietly leaves a measurable fingerprint.
Loss of sense of smell or performance of dreams can occur years before
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