Core Insights - Parkinson's disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disease globally, primarily driven by population aging, with no current cure or reliable early diagnostic strategies [2] - Recent research focuses on identifying reliable and specific early diagnostic biomarkers for PD, particularly through minimally invasive biological fluids [2][5] - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as promising biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, containing proteins and lipids that have strong potential for early PD detection [2][5] Research Findings - A study published by a team from Southeast University and Nanjing University Medical School indicates that proteins and lipids derived from EVs have potential for early PD diagnosis and provide insights into treatment-related mechanisms [3][6] - The study utilized a proprietary method called EVlent to analyze the proteome and lipidome of plasma EVs across different life stages, identifying biomarkers that can predict the prodromal phase of PD and differentiate it from multiple system atrophy (MSA) [5][6] - Functional analysis revealed protein-lipid interactions related to PD pathophysiology, including the regulation of lipid-mediated APOE signaling [5][6] - A machine learning model integrating the identified EV proteins achieved robust classification across different age groups, highlighting the diagnostic potential of EV-derived molecules for early PD detection [5][6]

Core Insights - Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease among the elderly in China, following Alzheimer's disease, with a current patient population of approximately 3.62 million, projected to rise to 5 million by 2030, accounting for about half of the global cases [2][3] Group 1: Disease Characteristics - Parkinson's disease symptoms include both motor and non-motor symptoms, with motor symptoms characterized by slowness, tremors, stiffness, and postural instability, while non-motor symptoms may include constipation, low mood, depression, olfactory dysfunction, and sleep disturbances [3][4] - Non-motor symptoms can appear up to 20 years before the onset of motor symptoms, indicating a higher probability of developing Parkinson's disease [2][3] Group 2: Diagnosis and Treatment - Early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes, but there are significant challenges in identifying early-stage patients due to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment [3][4] - The latest treatment guidelines recommend that once Parkinson's disease is diagnosed, treatment should begin promptly, regardless of the impact on quality of life, emphasizing the need for long-term management and a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, patients, caregivers, and society [4]