Objective: To explore the potential of a multidimensional biomarker panel integrating motor, non-motor, biochemical, metabolic, genetic, and neuroimaging biomarkers to increase sensitivity and specificity of early detection, disease stratification, and improved therapeutic strategies in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Current advancements in technologies, such as wearable sensors, neuroimaging, and molecular insights, offer promising opportunities for identifying prodromal PD and monitoring disease progression (figure 1). However, due to disease heterogeneity, no single biomarker has yet achieved sufficient sensitivity and specificity for early clinical utility. The integration of several disease-specific biomarkers can thus provide more robust, early diagnostic tools to enhance patient outcomes and accelerate therapeutic innovations [1]. For example, biochemical markers such as alpha-synuclein and DJ-1, combined with neuroimaging patterns, have yielded higher accuracy [2].

Method: The first stage of this study critically examined large genome-wide association (GWAS) studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews to evaluate the major pathological alterations in PD and identify the biomarkers that showed higher sensitivity and specificity across different populations and ethnicities. The panel integrates biomarkers including motor, non-motor, biochemical, metabolic, genetic, and neuroimaging data into a unified multimodal panel. The second stage, a pilot, involves recruiting 50 patients to test the panel, and the third phase involves the application to larger cohorts for validation.

Results: This multidimensional biomarker panel shows significant potential for enhancing early detection and disease stratification in PD. Advanced technologies and emerging approaches provide scalable and minimally invasive options for identifying prodromal PD and monitoring disease progression. However, validation, standardization, and clinical translation of these biomarkers are essential for their successful implementation in precision medicine.

Conclusion: A multimodal biomarker panel has the potential to transform diagnostic paradigms in PD, enabling personalized therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of disease pathogenesis. Prioritizing validation, standardization, and clinical translation will be critical to realizing the impact of these biomarkers in precision medicine.

Figure 1

References: [1] Höglinger, G. U., & Lang, A. E. (2024). SynNeurGe: The road ahead for a biological definition of Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, 1877718X241298194. https://doi.org/10.1177/1877718X241298194
[2] He, R., Yan, X., Guo, J., Xu, Q., Tang, B., & Sun, Q. (2018). Recent Advances in Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 10, 398835. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2018.00305

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-multidimensional-biomarker-panel-for-the-early-detection-of-parkinsons-disease/