In a major breakthrough, researchers in Israel have developed a simple and affordable blood test that can detect Parkinson’s disease long before symptoms begin to show. This early diagnosis tool could offer new hope to millions affected by the condition worldwide.

The study, published in the journal Nature Aging, explains the importance of early detection for Parkinson’s disease — a brain disorder that affects over 10 million people globally. Parkinson’s happens when the brain slowly stops making dopamine, a chemical that helps control movement and balance. As a result, patients often experience tremors, stiffness, slow movements, and memory or thinking problems. Unfortunately, by the time these symptoms appear, over 60 per cent of the brain’s dopamine-producing cells have already been lost.

That’s why this new test could be a game-changer. The team of scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem focused their research on small molecules in the blood called transfer RNA fragments, or tRFs. These fragments are believed to be linked to brain health and neurological diseases. By comparing blood and brain tissue from both Parkinson’s patients and healthy individuals, the researchers were able to identify two key biomarkers — one linked to the disease itself and another related to how it progresses.

“By focusing on tRFs, we’ve opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease,” said Professor Hermona Soreq, a senior author of the study and a molecular neuroscience expert at the Hebrew University.

What makes this test even more exciting is that it uses the same PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology that became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic. PCR works by amplifying tiny amounts of genetic material so they can be studied easily. This means the Parkinson’s test is not only accurate but also non-invasive, quick, and cost-effective.

“This discovery represents a major advancement in our understanding of Parkinson’s disease,” Prof Soreq added. “It offers a simple and minimally invasive test as a tool for early diagnosis.”

The study was led by PhD student Nimrod Madrer under Prof Soreq’s guidance, along with support from researchers at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, the University of Surrey, and Imperial College London.

However, experts caution that more research is needed before the test can be used widely. Prof David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK, who was not involved in the study, told Euronews that further validation is essential. “We need to ensure the test can clearly tell Parkinson’s apart from other conditions that may have similar early signs,” he said.

This study follows another EU-funded project that, last year, identified eight proteins in the blood that could help diagnose Parkinson’s up to seven years before symptoms show.

If confirmed through further research, this blood test could revolutionize how Parkinson’s is diagnosed and managed — making it possible to start treatment early and potentially slow the disease’s progression.

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