Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

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Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 30 January 2020

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A saliva test carried out by doctors may be able to both diagnose Parkinson’s and detect the severity of the condition, according to a recent study published in medical journal ‘Neurological Sciences’.

Several indicators of the development of Parkinson’s, including problems in the production of energy, can be easily detected in saliva.

As part of the study, carried out by a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, saliva samples were collected from 76 patients living with Parkinson’s, and 37 participants with good general health.

They found that the saliva of those with Parkinson’s reflected evidence of alteration in neurotransmitters – chemical messengers that allow nerve cells to communicate.

The researchers said the test “may highlight the characteristic changes in metabolite levels during the onset of Parkinson’s”.

To read more on this topic click here.

For more information on Parkinson’s diagnosis please visit the Parkinson’s Europe website.

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Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 30 January 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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In my country

Improving Parkinson’s care in India’s largest city

Global update

Parkinson’s in the news: October

Perspectives

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Study finds just six minutes of daily exercise might delay onset of Parkinson’s disease

Machine learning may help predict risk of freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease

Long-term exposure to air pollution could impact Parkinson’s disease mortality risk

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Testing saliva can help diagnose Parkinson’s, study finds

News

Author: Joe McAweaneyPublished: 30 January 2020

Last Month

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Share this story

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In my country

Improving Parkinson’s care in India’s largest city

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Journalist Liz Jackson’s emotional film about her Parkinson’s is “TV at its finest”

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