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Parkinson's testing could concentrate on saliva, study says
January 11, 2013
Research has suggested a saliva test could be effective for diagnosing Parkinson's disease
Research from Mayo Clinic and Banner Sun Health Research Institute suggests Parkinson's disease may be detectable in sufferers' saliva glands.
In a study involving 15 patients who had the condition for an average of 12 years, an abnormal protein signifying Parkinson's was identified in nine of the 11 sufferer's who had enough tissue to examine.
The findings concentrated on samples taken from two glands, with positive findings in the lower lip glands seemingly lower than for the lower jaw gland.
Dr Charles Adler, a neurologist with Mayo Clinic, explained there is no diagnostic test for Parkinson's disease so these findings may prove useful for gaining definitive proof of the condition.
He said: "Making a diagnosis in living patients is a big step forward in our effort to understand and better treat patients."
Previous studies have been able to identify abnormal proteins associated with Parkinson's in the saliva glands of deceased sufferers.
According to the NHS, men are one-and-a-half times more likely to develop the condition than women.
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