Early biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease

Author: Tara Lynch

Mentor:Dr. Jane Tezapsidis

Institution: BMCC

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the onset of multiple motor symptoms, including: rigidity, tremors, and frozen facial expression. Loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from the substantia nigra of the brain and misfolded alpha synuclein (a-syn) protein clumps, called Lewy bodies, are also hallmarks of PD. PD is diagnosed by the onset of multiple motor symptoms, at which point significant damage to DA neurons has already taken place. Our research focuses on analyzing data from the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative to identify conclusive biomarkers in PD patients.

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