Body Fluid-based Biomarkers for Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease

AI Summary

Biomarkers aid early detection and differentiation of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease, improving diagnosis, management and timely therapeutic intervention.
Reviewed biomarkers originate from body fluids (CSF, blood, salivary, urine, tear) and tissues such as gut and skin, with varied detection techniques.
Rigorous biomarker validation and cohort studies are critical to confirm utility, standardise assays and enable reliable clinical translation.

Ann Neurosci. 2026 May 18:09727531261442666. doi: 10.1177/09727531261442666. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with cognitive impairment as a prime non-motor symptom. Biomarkers can assist in detecting cognitive impairment, which normally follows movement dysfunction, and also assist in the differentiation of PD patients with and without cognitive dysfunction, facilitating the early diagnosis and disease management while also allowing for timely therapeutic intervention.

SUMMARY: Here, we have reviewed the biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease from different sources i.e., body fluids (CSF, blood, salivary, urine and tear) and tissues (gut and skin), along with the techniques used for the detection of these biomarkers. We further discuss the importance of biomarker validation and the significance of cohort studies in biomarker discoveries.

KEY MESSAGE: The chapter is aimed at updating the knowhow of the disease biomarkers that may assist differentiation of these overlapping entities.

PMID:42170620 | PMC:PMC13186935 | DOI:10.1177/09727531261442666

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