New Biomarkers Allow Earlier PD Diagnosis
disease spectrum , which in the future will have implications for clinical care .
To accelerate optimization in alpha-synuclein detection , MJFF is making significant investments with universities , biotech companies and diagnostic companies . Efforts to develop new tools include blood and skin tests , as well as imaging tools to detect clumped alphasynuclein in the brain using positron emission tomography ( PET ) imaging technology . ( See box for more on advances in imaging .)
Early in 2024 , MJFF announced it was awarding $ 9.75 million in funding to five research teams focused on producing quantitative biomarkers . The funded projects aim to deliver results within two to three years , when there will be a need for these markers in later-stage clinical testing . The new biomarkers hold potential to help fast-track these trials and provide drug makers clearer data about therapeutic effectiveness . An additional four teams working on quantitative biomarkers were selected for funding later in the year , for a total of more than $ 18 million awarded to date .
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