Parkinson’s disease is best known for its impact on the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.
However, new research is showing that the immune system also plays an important role in the presence and development of the disease.
A study published in the journal Brain by a team led by Martine Tétreault, associate professor of neuroscience at Université de Montréal, reveals that certain immune cells are more active in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Using an advanced technology called single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers were able to study gene expression at the level of individual cells.
This allowed them to identify specific subtypes of immune cells that were activated in Parkinson’s patients and found to overexpress genes linked to stress responses. Together, these form a distinct ‘signature’ of the disease.
The discovery of this signature could be highly valuable for diagnosis. Currently, there are no reliable clinical biomarkers to diagnose Parkinson’s disease, and it is often identified based on symptoms alone.
Tétreault and her team believe that these immune cell biomarkers could make it possible to detect the disease earlier from a simple blood test. It might also help distinguish Parkinson’s from other rare disorders with similar symptoms, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
In the study, the researchers analyzed blood samples from 14 patients with confirmed Parkinson’s disease, six patients with Parkinsonian syndromes, and 10 healthy individuals as a control group. The results showed that the immune system gene signature clearly distinguished Parkinson’s patients from those with other syndromes.
According to Tétreault, these biomarkers could improve diagnostic accuracy and help identify the right participants for clinical trials of new treatments. The team has also created a detailed atlas of immune cell subtypes found in both healthy individuals and Parkinson’s patients, which will be available for other scientists to use.
Parkinson’s disease is becoming increasingly common. In 2024, around 110,000 Canadians were living with the condition, and by 2034 that number is expected to rise to about 150,000. This makes the search for better diagnostic tools and treatments all the more urgent.
This study adds to the growing evidence that Parkinson’s is not only a neurological disorder but also involves significant immune system changes. By identifying a distinct immune cell signature, researchers have opened the door to the possibility of a blood test for early diagnosis.
If validated in larger studies, this could transform how the disease is detected and managed, allowing earlier intervention and more targeted treatments. It could also help differentiate Parkinson’s from similar conditions, improving both patient outcomes and the quality of clinical research.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies These common drugs may increase risk of Parkinson’s disease and Researchers find an important cause of Parkinson’s disease.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies This type of exercise may help reverse Parkinson’s disease and Supplements for Parkinson’s: Can they work?
The study is published in published in Brain.
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