Parkinson’s disease detectable before physical symptoms show, Australian research finds

Exclusive: synthetic compound highlights neurodegeneration when injected into patients at early stages of disease, study shows

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Australian researchers have developed a way of highlighting changes in the brain that mark the progression of Parkinson's disease years before physical symptoms show.

Researchers at the Florey Institute and Austin Health in Melbourne have shown it is possible to detect signs of Parkinson's disease, a debilitating neurodegenerative condition, by injecting patients with a synthetic compound, known as 18F-AV-133, designed to bind to a protein in the brain known as VMAT2.

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Information for people living with Parkinson's can be found at Fight Parkinson's, or by phoning 03 8809 0400