Researchers have used AI to develop a test to diagnose Parkinson’s early. In this way, important nerve cells could be saved in time. The backgrounds.
In recent years, engineers around the world have made significant progress in developing AI systems. It therefore hardly seems surprising that artificial intelligence has now penetrated many areas of our everyday life – including medicine.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the University Hospital of Göttingen developed recently an AI-based blood test that can predict Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before symptoms appear.
This breakthrough promises earlier diagnosis and treatment. In the medium term, this can help protect brain cells before the disease damages them. The AI analyzes eight specific biomarkers in the blood to diagnose Parkinson’s with almost 100% accuracy.
AI test detects Parkinson’s disease in all patients who later become ill
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease worldwide, currently affecting almost ten million people. The disease results from the loss of nerve cells in the parts of the brain that control movement. These nerve cells lose the ability to produce dopamine, which leads to the typical Parkinson’s symptoms such as tremors and slow movement.
The new test could make it possible to find treatments that slow or even stop the progression of the disease. In this way, doctors could protect the dopamine-producing cells. The research results show that the AI was able to analyze the blood samples of 72 patients. About 80 percent of them later developed diseases such as Parkinson’s.
A simple test should come in about two years
Over a period of ten years, the AI predictions were completely consistent with actual disease development. The researchers now plan to further verify the test’s accuracy and hope to develop a simpler blood drop test within two years with sufficient funding.
This could predict Parkinson’s disease before symptoms appear. Professor David Dexter, Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK, described the research as a significant step forward towards a definitive and patient-friendly diagnosis for Parkinson’s.
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