Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 18, 2026 1 hour, 43 minutes ago
Medical News: Parkinson’s disease is often described as a movement disorder, but scientists now believe its roots run much deeper, long before visible tremors or stiffness appear. A new study has uncovered subtle molecular changes in the blood that may help explain how the disease develops and, more importantly, how it could one day be detected earlier.
Tiny blood-based genetic markers may help doctors detect Parkinson’s disease earlier and understand its hidden brain damage
Understanding Parkinson disease beyond symptoms
Parkinson’s disease affects millions worldwide and is caused by the gradual loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical essential for smooth movement and coordination. While current treatments can ease symptoms, there is still no cure or reliable test to detect the disease at an early stage. Researchers are therefore searching for biological signals, known as biomarkers, that can be easily measured and reveal what is happening inside the brain.
The role of microRNAs in the body
MicroRNAs are tiny genetic regulators that act like switches, turning genes on or off. Even though they are extremely small, they play major roles in controlling inflammation, cell survival, energy production, and how damaged proteins are cleared from cells. Importantly, microRNAs circulate in the blood, making them attractive candidates for simple blood-based tests.
How the study was carried out
In this study, scientists examined blood samples from 47 people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and compared them with samples from 45 healthy individuals of similar age and sex. The research team came from the Department of Neurology at Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, the Department of Bioinformatics at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, and the Department of Medical Biology at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in Turkey.
Using precise laboratory techniques, the researchers measured the levels of four specific microRNAs in blood plasma. This
Medical News report highlights that the focus was on identifying clear and consistent differences between patients and healthy individuals.
Key findings
The results showed that one microRNA, called miR-15a-5p, was strongly increased in people with Parkinson’s disease. This molecule is known to encourage cell death, suggesting it may be linked to the ongoing loss of brain cells seen in the condition.
At the same time, two other microRNAs, miR-139-5p and miR-34a-3p, were found at much lower levels in patients. These microRNAs normally help protect nerve cells by supporting energy production in mitochondria, reducing harmful inflammation, and limiting excessive cell damage. Their reduction may mean the brain is losing important protective mechanisms.
A fourth microRNA, miR-16-5p, showed no meaningful
difference, indicating that not all related molecules change in the same way during the disease.
Why these findings matter
When the researchers analyzed how well these microRNAs could distinguish patients from healthy people, they found that miR-139-5p was especially accurate. Even more promising was a combined panel using three microRNAs together, which showed very high accuracy in identifying Parkinson’s disease. This suggests that future blood tests may rely on a group of markers rather than a single one.
What the conclusions mean for the future
In conclusion, the study shows that Parkinson’s disease leaves a clear molecular fingerprint in the blood. The rise of miR-15a-5p alongside the drop in protective microRNAs points to a harmful balance between cell death and lost protection. These findings strongly suggest that blood-based microRNA panels could become powerful tools for earlier diagnosis, better disease monitoring, and even guiding future treatments, although larger long-term studies are still needed to confirm these results.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/2/930
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