Scientists in China have identified specific physical behaviours that could provide early warning signs for Parkinson’s disease, potentially offering new diagnostic tools for a condition affecting nearly 90,000 Americans annually, according to groundbreaking research published in Translational Psychiatry.
A research team from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered that movements such as rearing, walking and hunching in laboratory mice correlate directly with the loss of dopamine neurons in a critical brain region. The study, led by Professor Xuemei Liu and Professor Pengfei Wei, employed sophisticated three-dimensional behavioural analysis combined with machine learning technology.
The findings could transform early detection methods for a disease that currently affects more than 10 million people worldwide. By the time patients receive a diagnosis, they have typically lost 60 to 80 per cent of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
“Connecting behavioural changes with targeted neural damage advances the understanding of PD progression and offers valuable insights into improving treatment strategies,” Professor Liu stated in the study.
The research focused on two distinct brain regions containing dopamine neurons: the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Both areas are essential for regulating movement, emotion and reward processing, but the study revealed that only damage to SNc neurons correlated with the identified behavioural changes.
Using an artificial intelligence-powered behavioural recognition system, researchers captured detailed movement patterns that traditional observation methods might overlook. The analysis revealed significant reductions in rearing and hunching behaviours that directly corresponded with SNc dopamine neuron loss, whilst VTA neurons showed no such correlation.
Dr Michael Okun, medical adviser to the Parkinson’s Foundation and director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, emphasised the importance of early detection in a separate study. This is an instance where the innovation between technology and artificial intelligence has been proven to enhance diagnostic precision,” he noted.
The timing of this research is particularly significant given recent epidemiological data. A 2022 Parkinson’s Foundation-backed study revealed that Parkinson’s diagnoses in the United States have surged by 50 per cent from previous estimates, with nearly 90,000 new cases identified annually compared to the previously estimated 60,000.
The Chinese research team also identified behavioural lateralisation—a pronounced preference for one side of the body—as another potential early indicator. This finding aligns with the characteristic asymmetric onset of Parkinson’s symptoms observed in human patients.
“Rearing and similar behaviors have the potential to serve as early and reliable behavioral indicators of SNc DA neuron integrity, making them excellent candidates for more sensitive measures in PD research,” the researchers concluded in their published findings.
Current diagnostic challenges remain substantial. Studies indicate that the accuracy of initial Parkinson’s diagnosis stands at just 53 per cent within the first five years of symptom onset, according to research published in Scientific Reports. This low accuracy rate underscores the urgent need for improved early detection methods.
The global burden of Parkinson’s disease continues to escalate. Recent projections published in The Lancet estimate that cases will exceed 25 million by 2050, representing a 76 per cent increase from 2021 levels. An ageing population accounts for 89 per cent of this projected increase.
Professor Dinushika Dissanayake, Deputy Regional Director for Europe at Amnesty International, highlighted the broader impact of improved detection methods. “Earlier diagnosis may provide a therapeutic window to slow or prevent the progression of PD prior to the onset of motor impairments,” she stated in a related context.
The study employed two different mouse models of Parkinson’s disease to validate their findings. In addition to the behavioural changes, researchers confirmed that climbing behaviour—similar to rearing—showed strong correlation with SNc neuron loss and substantially reduced motor function.
Sources familiar with current treatment approaches confirmed that whilst medications like levodopa can effectively manage symptoms in early stages, no existing therapies can restore lost dopamine neurons or halt disease progression. This reality makes early detection particularly crucial for maximising quality of life.
The World Health Organisation reports that Parkinson’s disease results in high rates of disability and care needs, with many patients developing dementia during the disease course. The condition disproportionately affects men, who are 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women.
Experts note that the subtle behavioural markers identified in this study occurred even when overall motor deficits were not obvious, potentially allowing detection before classic symptoms like tremor or rigidity appear. This finding could prove particularly valuable given that current diagnostic methods often miss early-stage disease.
The research adds to growing evidence that advanced technologies can revolutionise neurological disease detection. Recent studies have shown artificial intelligence achieving over 96 per cent accuracy in differentiating Parkinson’s from similar movement disorders when properly implemented.
Government health officials acknowledge that improving early detection capabilities remains essential, particularly in resource-limited settings where access to specialist neurological care is limited. The WHO’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders specifically prioritises strengthening diagnostic capabilities worldwide.
The implications extend beyond individual patient care. With treatment costs averaging £2,000 annually for medications alone and surgical interventions potentially exceeding £75,000, early detection could significantly impact healthcare resource allocation and patient outcomes.
As researchers continue validating these findings for human application, the identification of these subtle behavioural markers represents a significant advance in understanding how Parkinson’s disease manifests in its earliest stages, potentially offering hope for earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
