White blood cells could help diagnose people at risk of Parkinson’s, study finds

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Author: Saskia MairPublished: 30 April 2020

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Scientists in the US have found additional evidence for the link between immune cells and Parkinson’s – alongside signs of autoimmunity present in individuals years before their Parkinson’s diagnosis.

The study – conducted by researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Columbia University Irving Medical Center, US – revealed a higher count of T cells (a type of white blood cell) in participants at the time of diagnosis but showed that few still had these cells 10 years later.

Dr Alessandro Sette, who co-led the study, said: “This tells us that detection of T cell responses could help in the diagnosis of people at risk or in early stages of [Parkinson’s] disease development.

“Importantly, we could dream of a scenario where early interference with T cell responses could prevent the disease from manifesting itself or progressing.”

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For more information on the latest Parkinson’s research please visit the EPDA website.

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White blood cells could help diagnose people at risk of Parkinson’s, study finds

News

Author: Saskia MairPublished: 30 April 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

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How I got Damien Hirst to make art for Parkinson’s

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Billy Connolly and Robin Williams “were both angry” at diagnosis

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New patient-centred study will harvest data via smartphones

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

Neuroticism may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, research finds

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White blood cells could help diagnose people at risk of Parkinson’s, study finds

News

Author: Saskia MairPublished: 30 April 2020

Prep: Cook: Serves:

Last Month

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Share this story

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Related articles

Interviews

How I got Damien Hirst to make art for Parkinson’s

Perspectives

Billy Connolly and Robin Williams “were both angry” at diagnosis

Advances

New patient-centred study will harvest data via smartphones

Stay tuned for series two of the Parkinson’s Life podcast

How Parkinson’s disease could impact the way you see art

Neuroticism may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease, research finds

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