Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Apr 12: Israeli researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) have developed a groundbreaking RNA-based blood test that can detect Parkinson's disease long before symptoms appear. This significant advancement addresses a critical challenge, as Parkinson's is often diagnosed only after substantial brain damage has already occurred.

The innovative test, published in the journal Nature Aging, measures specific RNA fragments in the blood to identify the disease at its earliest stages. It focuses on two key biomarkers: a repetitive RNA sequence that accumulates in Parkinson’s patients, and mitochondrial RNA, which decreases as the disease progresses.

By analyzing the ratio between these two RNA fragments, the test can accurately identify Parkinson’s before the onset of noticeable symptoms. This provides a crucial opportunity for early diagnosis and intervention.

Prof Hermona Soreq, a lead researcher from HU, highlighted the test’s potential: “This discovery represents a major advancement in our understanding of Parkinson's disease and offers a simple, minimally invasive blood test as a tool for early diagnosis,” she said. “By focusing on tRFs, we've opened a new window into the molecular changes that occur in the earliest stages of the disease.”

In trials, the test distinguished pre-symptomatic Parkinson's patients from healthy individuals with an impressive 86% accuracy, surpassing the effectiveness of current diagnostic methods.
Additionally, the study revealed that the levels of one RNA fragment drop after deep brain stimulation treatment, providing insights into the disease mechanisms and how the disease responds to certain treatments.

Lead researcher Nimrod Madrer emphasized that early detection can significantly improve patient outcomes. “This test has the potential to alleviate the uncertainty faced by patients and clinicians, offering a reliable and rapid method to identify the disease in its earliest stages,” he said.