Breakthrough Detects Parkinson's up to 20 Years Sooner
Most people with Parkinson's develop the disease in their 40s. However, researchers at Kings College, London, have now discovered a link that could detect the warning signs 15 to 20 years earlier.
They found that people had lost up to one third of the brain cells that process serotonin, even before other symptoms developed.
In fact, it is the loss of dopamine in the brain that is responsible for the movement problems in Parkinson's. Now, scientists believe reduced amounts of serotonin also affect things.
Marios Politis, the Chief Investigator, commented: "Our results suggest that early detection of changes in the serotonin system could open doors to the development of new therapies to slow, and ultimately prevent, progression of Parkinson's disease."
About 150,000 people have Parkinson's in the UK. Parkinson's is a neurological condition in which patients have mobility issues, such as tremors, as well as memory problems.
There are currently no drugs that stop its progress, although there are some that alleviate its symptoms.
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