Biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Do you know anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? What is Parkinson’s disease? In the Department of Medicine in UCC I am carrying out research on this condition, and I’m working with people who have Parkinson’s disease (PD). I hope to increase our understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying PD along with identifying potential biomarkers for PD. What are biomarkers? Why do we need a biomarker? Keep on reading to discover more! It is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative condition after Alzheimer’s disease. It affects 1% of people over 65 years and 4% over 80 years. 30 million people are currently affected worldwide. It was first described by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817 in his book “An Essay on the shaking palsy”. Parkinson’s disease occurs when there is not enough of a chemical called dopamine being produced by your brain. People with PD classically present to their ...