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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 > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] >In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn Bill Isbell ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn Santa Barbara , California