Researchers from the University Vita-Salute San Raffaele in Milan, Italy, have found changes in the visual systems of newly-diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients may provide important biomarkers for the early detection and monitoring of the disease.
According to researchers, patients with PD experience non-motor symptoms, such as visual alterations, a change in visual acuity, and a decrease in blinding that can lead to dry eye. However, the symptoms reportedly often go undiagnosed as patients are unaware of the link to the disease. Researchers now believe these non-motor symptoms may precede the appearance of motor symptoms by more than a decade.
The research team reportedly used MRIs and ophthalmologic exams to study a group of newly diagnosed and not-yet-treated patients with Parkinson's disease, as well as healthy control group. They reportedly found significant abnormalities within the visual system brain structures of Parkinson's disease patients, including alterations of optic radiations.
According to researchers, their study of the visual symptoms may provide sensitive markers of Parkinson's disease. Additionally, visual processing metrics may prove helpful in differentiating Parkinsonism disorders, following disease progression, and monitoring patient response to drug treatment
The research was recently published in the journal Radiology.
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Source: Radiological Society of North America