Researchers Develop New Early Identification For Parkinson’s 

Working alongside three major Israeli medical centers, researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new method to detect protein aggregation (abnormal protein activity in cells), which is a key indicator of Parkinson’s.  

The new technology can help make a diagnosis of the neurodegenerative disease up to 20 years before the first motor symptoms appear, helping treatment or even prevention of the severe and currently incurable disorder. 

The research was led by Prof. Uri Ashery of TAU’s School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics at the Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, and PhD candidate Ofir Sade, in cooperation with Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in Tel Aviv, Sheba Medical Center in Tel HaShomer and Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba.

The novel approach is based on super-resolution microscopy combined with computational analysis, allowing for precise mapping of the aggregates’ molecules and structure. 

“Our method can be used to identify early signs and enable preventive treatment in young people at risk for developing Parkinson’s later on in their lives,” said the researchers. 

“In the future the technology may also be adapted for early diagnosis of other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s.”

With proof of concept obtained through their study, the researchers now plan to expand their work, with the support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, in order to further identify differences between people with Parkinson’s disease and people without it.