• A team of scientists at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has developed a promising new method for the early detection of Parkinson’s Disease.

• The yellow metal, rather tiny particles of it, can hold the key to a nanotechnology-based tool for early detection of Parkinson’s Disease. 

• This breakthrough is particularly crucial as Parkinson’s Disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders globally, and with an aging population, cases in India are projected to rise substantially. 

• Currently, diagnosis often occurs only after significant neurodegeneration has already taken place, highlighting an urgent need for early detection tools.

How was the test conducted?

• A group discussion among scientists at Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) sparked a big idea. 

• They started exploring whether they could detect how dangerous a protein is just by sensing its surface charge.

• They focused their attention on a protein called α-synuclein linked to Parkinson’s Disease.

• This protein changes shape, starting out harmless, and eventually clumping into toxic forms that damage brain cells. 

• The team started working towards a sensor to tell these protein forms apart, just by how they are charged.

• Their solution came in the form of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), ultrasmall, glowing particles just a few nanometers wide. 

• By coating these nanoclusters with naturally occurring amino acids, the researchers gave them selective “stickiness”.

• Proline-coated clusters were drawn to the normal version of the protein, while histidine-coated ones latched onto the toxic aggregates. 

• This helped distinguish between the harmless monomeric form and the toxic aggregated (amyloid) form.

• The study has just been accepted at the journal Nanoscale (Royal Society of Chemistry).

• A tool that can detect the disease before symptoms appear could mean earlier treatment, improved quality of life, and lower long-term healthcare costs.

• The research also opens the door to detecting other diseases linked to misfolded proteins, like Alzheimer’s, using similar nanotechnology.

Key points on Parkinson’s Disease:

• Parkinson’s Disease is a brain condition that causes problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain and other health issues.

• Parkinson’s Disease gets worse over time. There is no cure, but therapies and medicines can reduce symptoms. Common symptoms include painful muscle contractions and difficulty in speaking.

• Parkinson’s Disease results in high rates of disability and the need for care. Many people with Parkinson’s Disease also develop dementia.

• The disease usually occurs in older people, but younger people can also be affected. Men are affected more often than women.

• The cause of Parkinson’s Disease is unknown but people with a family history of the disease have a higher risk. Exposure to air pollution, pesticides and solvents may increase risk.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)