Excellent article, Ray.  Thanks for calling it to our attention.

Regards,

Bill Isbell
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At 09:09 AM 5/27/2007, you wrote:
>The First Ever Blood Test To Detect Parkinson's Disease Could Be On The
>Horizon Following Research By Lancaster University Scientists
>26 May 2007
>
>Researchers at Lancaster have discovered that alpha-synuclein - a protein
>that accumulates in parts of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease - can
>also be detected in the blood. Furthermore, the levels of a particular form
>of this protein appear to be altered in blood samples from patients with the
>disease.
>
>Professor David Allsop has now been granted £396,000 by the Medical
>Research Council to lead a team of researchers from Lancaster University,
>Manchester University and Royal Preston Hospital to continue to explore the
>possibility that this protein could act as a marker for Parkinson's disease.
>
>The researchers will also carry out an extensive £860,000 drug trial funded
>by industrial collaborator Zyentia. Zyentia is developing new drugs aimed at
>preventing the degeneration and loss of brain nerve cells in Parkinson's
>disease. If successful, such drugs could slow or even stop the progression
>of the disease.
>
>Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, incurable brain disease, with
>characteristic symptoms including tremors of the hands, muscle rigidity and
>slowness of movement. There are around 120,000 sufferers in the UK - one in
>500 people - but diagnosis can be difficult. Diagnosis is currently based on
>taking a detailed clinical history and looking for evidence of the key
>symptoms.
>
>However, diagnostic errors are common because PD is one of several
>neurological movement disorders with similar symptoms and there is no
>existing diagnostic test that can confirm the clinical diagnosis of PD.
>
>It is hoped alpha-synuclein will act as a reliable diagnostic marker, which
>could lead to the development of the first ever PD blood test enabling
>earlier and more accurate diagnosis. When coupled with earlier treatment,
>this would have the potential to transform the lives of those who suffer
>from this disease. By monitoring fluctuating levels of alpha-synuclein in
>the blood, doctors might also be able to follow the clinical progression of
>the disease.
>
>The study has three strands. The first will involve taking blood samples
>from patients with various neurodegenerative conditions, including PD, and
>testing them for levels of alpha-synuclein. The second is a longitudinal
>study taking repeat blood samples over a prolonged period from a relatively
>small group of patients already diagnosed with PD. The third study is a drug
>trial involving around 200 patients with PD.
>
>Professor David Allsop, of Lancaster University's Department of Biology,
>said: "Early diagnosis of PD should lead to more effective treatment.
>Current drugs for PD are targeted at the 'downstream' consequences of the
>degeneration of brain cells, rather than its prevention. However, many
>pharmaceutical companies, including our collaborators at Zyentia, are
>developing new drugs targeted at the degenerative process itself. The
>combination of early and accurate diagnosis with drugs aimed at the causes
>of the disease would revolutionise the way we treat Parkinson's. These new
>treatments could slow down or even halt the progress of the disease. In view
>of our ageing population, finding better ways of tackling this debilitating
>disease is a top priority."
>
>Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council
>added "The combination of public funding from the Medical Research Council
>and support from the pharmaceutical industry highlights how public and
>private sectors can work together to develop better diagnostic tools and
>facilitate drug development. These types of collaborations ultimately
>benefit patients, who will see quicker applications of scientific
>discoveries."
>
>Collaborators on the study are Professor David Allsop and Professor Peter
>Diggle, Lancaster University, Professor David Mann, Manchester University,
>Professor Douglas Mitchell, Royal Preston Hospital and Dr Jesus Zurdo at
>Zyentia .
>
>alpha-synuclein
>
>In PD, structures called 'Lewy bodies' are found inside nerve cells in
>affected regions of the brain. Lewy bodies contain abnormal fibres made out
>of a protein called alpha-synuclein and the formation of these
>alpha-synuclein deposits inside Lewy bodies is an important step in the
>development of PD. Lancaster University researchers discovered
>alpha-synuclein is also present in the human blood.
>
>Diagnosis of PD
>
>PD is one of several neurological movement disorders with similar symptoms.
>Unfortunately, there is no existing diagnostic test that can confirm the
>clinical diagnosis of PD. At present, laboratory tests of blood samples from
>these patients do not show any abnormalities. Also, routine brain scans (MRI
>and CAT scans) of people with PD usually appear to be normal. This is
>because the pathological changes responsible for PD are not revealed by
>these scans. Specialised brain imaging techniques (called PET scans) can
>reveal some abnormalities in PD, but these imaging methods are costly and
>currently inappropriate for routine clinical practice. With no specific
>diagnostic tests, doctors must base their diagnosis of PD on clinical
>judgement.
>
>Medical Research Council
>
>The Medical Research Council is dedicated to improving human health through
>excellent science. It invests on behalf of the UK taxpayer. Its work ranges
>from molecular level science to public health research, carried out in
>universities, hospitals and a network of its own units and institutes. The
>MRC liaises with the Health Departments, the National Health Service and
>industry to take account of the public's needs. The results have led to some
>of the most significant discoveries in medical science and benefited the
>health and wealth of millions of people in the UK and around the world.
>www.mrc.ac.uk
>
>www.zyentia.com
>Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=72140
>
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Bill Isbell

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