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- Stephanie Soto
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer's disease. This test (The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio) looks for amyloid plaques, which are clumps of protein that are the hallmark for Alzheimer's disease. Blood tests have been used in clinical trials for years, but it has finally been cleared to use as a diagnostic test with the general population. Let's learn more.
This test is cleared to use in people 55 years old and older when showing signs consistent with Alzheimer's disease. Per the FDA, "The Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio measures two proteins, pTau217 and β-amyloid 1-42, found in human plasma, a component of blood, and calculates the numerical ratio of the levels of the two proteins. This ratio is correlated to the presence or absence of amyloid plaques in the patient’s brain, reducing the need for a PET scan." Currently, it is being used at the "first pass detection tool" meaning this test is performed first and if positive, further testing will be done. It is expected to be available later this month.
What does this mean for PD?
In 2023, a biomarker to detect alpha-synuclean, the hallmark of PD, was validated in spinal fluid. Currently, researches are working towards developing and validating that test for skin and blood samples. The approval of a blood test for Alzheimer's is a huge step forward for PD testing. MJFF chief scientist Mark Frasier, PhD says “the approval of a blood test in Alzheimer’s is an important milestone for neurodegenerative diseases broadly, and it provides a path to follow for Parkinson’s research.”
Early and accurate diagnoses for both PD and Alzheimer's is crucial. With both diseases, researchers believe that the disease starts years before symptoms are shown. Blood tests can help those who are most at risk obtain early screening and treatment.
If you think you are exhibiting signs of Alzheimer's and/or Parkinson's, speak with your doctor.
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- Stephanie Soto
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
Rob Cook, a person with Parkinson's, is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. Rob says it is his lifelong dream to hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail. According to Rob, it is one of America’s national scenic trails – stretching 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. The trail winds through the California desert and follows the spine of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades revealing awesome sights along the way that can only be earned on foot.
"I have been planning this hike for years. But during my planning I picked up an unwelcome companion – Parkinson’s Disease. It’s good for anyone to do difficult things. To prove to yourself that you are tough, resilient, that you are a worthy companion that others turn to in difficult times. To keep pushing. For those of us with PD, exercise is the one thing that has been shown to slow the progression of this affliction. I can’t think of a better way to get a daily dose of exercise than on trail. For me, this is an epic way of simultaneously proving to myself that I can continue to do difficult things and resisting and maybe even delaying PD’s degradation one step at a time, one mile at a time, one day at a time – for months on end."
Check out this news clip on Rob!
Rob started his journey on April 6th after retiring in December. Rob needed a temporary break from his hike after PD related muscle spasms, but he plans to return to the trail soon. Follow his YouTube channel to stay up to date on his progress. He plans to finish the trail by September. Go Rob!
- Stephanie Soto
- May 21
- 2 min read
As the weather gets warmer and the sun starts to shine longer, more and more people start hitting the golf course. While golf is great for things like coordination, balance, and exercise, but what about the field you are playing on? Is there a connection between the pesticides used and PD? Let's find out.
A recent study published in the Journal of American Medical Association examined the link between proximity of your home to a golf course and your risk of PD. Many golf courses in America use pesticides to maintain a pristine green course. The researches found that those with water systems that were more vulnerable to pesticide pollution had a higher prevalence of PD. They also found that living within 3 miles of a golf course may increase the risk of PD.
How did they find this?
Health records from 27 counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota starting in 1966 were included. If patients were diagnosed with PD, the researchers looked at anyone's address 2-3 years prior to symptom onset. They then collected data around their water sources and the distance from golf courses.
“We observed that risk of developing [Parkinson’s disease] was greatest for those living within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course and that the risk of [Parkinson’s disease] generally decreased with increasing distance from a golf course.”
In fact, living within 1 mile of a golf course showed an increase in risk 126% compared with living more than 6 miles away. The risk of PD increased by 82% in those who lived in regions with vulnerable groundwater.
There are some drawbacks to this study. We cannot apply a study conducted in Wisconsin and Minnesota to New York - the environment is different, the laws around public health are different, etc. The type of pesticides used in golf courses can change over time, so that again is a challenge.
The bottom line?
Eliminating as much of your environment risk is important. There does seem to be a link between pesticides and PD. Have a loved one that lives in a major city? Educate them on the impact that pollution has on their health. Have a loved one that is looking to buy a home? Share this blog post. Looking to relocate yourself? Take a look as your water source and proximity to major pollutants. Making healthy choices when we can where we can will go a long way.
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