Parkinson's disease: blood test detects up to seven years early, symptom side predicts cognitive or psychiatric decline

Researchers at University College London have identified a panel of eight protein biomarkers in blood that can signal Parkinson's disease up to seven years before motor symptoms appear. The discovery could enable earlier therapeutic intervention, potentially preserving brain function and quality of life for patients.

A separate study by the University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals found that the side of the body where Parkinson's first manifests predicts later non‑motor complications. Patients whose initial symptoms appear on the right side are more likely to develop severe cognitive impairment and dementia, while left‑side onset is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety. The findings suggest a path toward more personalized management of the disease.