Blood test for brain-derived markers to diagnose Parkinson’s and similar disorders
Biomarkers for parkinsonian disorders in CNS-originating extracellular vesicles
This project aims to develop a blood-based test that detects brain-derived proteins to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease and related atypical parkinsonian disorders early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10829260 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would give a small blood sample and researchers will isolate tiny particles called extracellular vesicles that come from brain cells to measure proteins like alpha-synuclein and other candidate markers. The team will build a multi-marker panel and compare protein patterns across Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal syndrome using samples from national biobanks and newly collected clinic patients. The study emphasizes people in the first two years after diagnosis and those with prodromal symptoms so the test could be useful when diagnosis is most uncertain. Researchers will also refine methods for pulling out brain-origin vesicles from blood to make the test practical.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with new or early parkinsonian symptoms, those within the first two years after diagnosis, or individuals with suspected prodromal synucleinopathy.
Not a fit: People without parkinsonian symptoms, patients with non-degenerative causes of movement problems, or those already definitively diagnosed are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a minimally invasive blood test that enables earlier and more accurate diagnosis of Parkinson’s and related disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work by the investigators showed that alpha-synuclein in brain-derived extracellular vesicles could distinguish Parkinson's disease from multiple system atrophy, and this project expands that promising approach to other atypical syndromes.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bitan, Gal — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Bitan, Gal
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.