Researchers based at the University of Manchester have carried out a study which suggests the diagnosis and monitoring of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is possible through analysis of skin compounds. This could potentially lead to a simple and non-invasive diagnostic procedure, according to a recent report in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.
The technique involves using high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) to profile the complex signature of metabolites in sebum samples, the article explains. Researchers took samples from more than 200 volunteers, a portion of whom were Parkinson’s patients. In those where the disease was present, novel diagnostic sebum-based biomarkers were identified.
This outcome raises hopes that in the future, PD can be swiftly diagnosed with a simple and pain-free skin swab. It may also be potentially useful for monitoring the progress of the disease. This can be adapted to clinical trials, to help measure whether experimental treatments are effective in slowing, stopping, or reversing the progression of the disease.
Research lead Professor Perdita Barran commented, “We are now looking to take our findings forwards to refine the test to improve accuracy even further and to take steps towards making this a test that can be used in the NHS and to develop more precise diagnostics and better treatment for this debilitating condition.”
The technique should prove to be cost-effective, as it makes use of existing technology which is already available. Professor Barran, who is based at Manchester, collaborated with teams at Liverpool University, the University of Edinburgh, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to produce their research paper, published in Nature Communications.
Currently, the diagnosis of PD is made by a neurologist, based on observation of symptoms. These may include tremor, slowness, stiffness, and problems with balance. However, in the early stages, progression can be very gradual and subtle, and also overlap with other conditions, making formal diagnosis a complex process.
PD is a neurodegenerative disorder which typically develops gradually, and the patient may have been suffering from it for years before seeking medical help. More than 6 million people around the world have a current diagnosis, making it second only in prevalence to Alzheimer’s disease.
The ‘world first’ new testing technique was developed through studying a condition called seborrheic dermatitis, or oily skin. The excess of sebum produced contains lipid-like molecules which, although commonly studied for conditions such as acne, had been analysed very little in the context of disease diagnostics.
The authors of the research paper note: “The use of sebum as a diagnostic tool for PD provides an exciting prospect from which a non-invasive and inexpensive test could be developed to detect the onset of this disease.”
The team are now seeking funding to enable them to further test and explore the results, in order to develop a definitive test to diagnose PD accurately, quickly, and in a cost-effective manner, and to enable monitoring of disease progression. They also hope to investigate whether sebum profiles can be used to develop tests for other conditions, such as Covid-19.
If you’re looking for recruitment agencies for science graduates, talk to us today.