Work

Reply to Toker and Pavlidis: Blood biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease

Year: 2015

Type: letter

Abstract: We are grateful for the opportunity to respond to the comments of Toker and Pavlidis (1) regarding our recent publication, in which hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) and polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTBP1) mRNAs are identified as potential blood biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease (PD) (2). Early diagnosis of PD remains challenging. Contrary to what the authors suggest, we are cognizant that several markers will be required to accurately identify early-stage PD patients. Our previous studies identified several markers, most of which were replicated in two independent clinical trials (3, 4). It is our view that a combination of RNA and biochemical markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, for example, will be required for accurate diagnosis. We propose that network analyses provide us with a highly beneficial tool for identifying biologically relevant markers (5). We expect that these markers will complement, not replace, a neurological examination.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1508415112

Authors: Jose A. Santiago, Judith A. Potashkin

Institution: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Language: English

Topic: Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Medical Research and Materiel Command