Parkinson’s disease is one of the most common neurological disorders that affects over 10 million people worldwide; a new test may aid Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Researchers at the AXIM Institute of Biotechnology have developed a rapid and non-invasive test for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. This test involves taking a teardrop from the patient’s eye and analyzing it in the laboratory to detect abnormal amino acids present in the patient’s teardrop. The test takes only 10 minutes and poses no risks at all.
The amino acid α-synuclein is a vital biomarker distinguishing Parkinson’s patients from healthy individuals, according to a recent study published in April of 2023.
This test is easy to apply compared to current diagnostic tests that are being used nowadays; Parkinson’s disease has many motor and sensory symptoms that affect the quality of life, such as hand Tremors and slow movement with a decrease in mental abilities.
The teardrop test for Parkinson’s diagnosis allows the doctor to start discussing treatment options with the patient early on, allowing for improved treatment outcomes. Advanced treatment methods are currently available to control Parkinson’s symptoms, such as magnetic brain stimulation and other methods. Additionally, the teardrop test helps the patient avoid taking unnecessary radiological tests such as an MRI or CT scan to rule out other diseases that may manifest similar symptoms to Parkinson’s disease.