Researchers at Hebei University have discovered a new potential biomarker for Parkinson’s disease lurking in human hair.
After analyzing hair from 60 patients with Parkinson’s, researchers compared the results with data from age-matched healthy controls and found significant differences.
In the hair samples of patients with Parkinson’s disease, researchers observed significantly lower levels of iron and copper, along with higher levels of manganese and arsenic.
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that progresses slowly. It is characterized by the gradual death of nerve cells that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. This disease is incurable, but its symptoms, such as tremors, stiffness, and slowed movements, can be managed with medication and therapy. It most commonly affects individuals over the age of 60.
Why is this discovery important?
The true cause of the disease remains a mystery. Previous studies have linked Parkinson’s to disruptions in gut microbiota and unhealthy diets, particularly those high in ultra-processed foods. There is also evidence suggesting a strong connection between the disease and environmental pollutants, such as pesticides.
Developing a reliable, noninvasive diagnostic method has been challenging. Recently, scientists developed blood-based biomarkers for Parkinson’s, but hair offers something blood does not.
Hair accumulates heavy metals from food and the environment. Unlike saliva, sweat, blood, or urine, hair can retain a longer record of a person’s exposures and health status, Science Alert reported.
After comparing hair from patients and controls, researchers examined fur from laboratory mice that showed Parkinson’s-like symptoms. Ultimately, the team discovered a decrease in iron levels in the hair of the rodents, which was closely linked to gut dysfunction.
Genes in the mice that control iron absorption were suppressed, while genes that help microorganisms take up iron were more active — a combination that could lead to iron deficiency in the body.
The researchers say the link between the gut microbiome and iron-metabolism genes provides “fundamental evidence that these systems are interconnected in the context of a pathology similar to Parkinson’s disease.”
The elevated levels of arsenic in hair also warrant further investigation, as they may be influenced by environmental factors. Notably, participants in the study with Parkinson’s disease consumed more organ meats and seafood, which are more likely to contain arsenic.
“Considering all these results, we suggest that the decrease in iron levels in hair may indicate gastrointestinal dysfunction in patients with Parkinson’s disease, as well as an imbalance in gut microbiota,” the team wrote in their report.
The authors of the study believe that their discovery holds significant diagnostic potential for detecting this disease. However, further research involving larger population groups is needed to confirm the results.
And who knows—maybe soon diagnosing Parkinson’s will require only a few strands of hair.
The study’s findings were published in the journal iScience.
