Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition with no known cure or definitive cause, affects approximately 10 million people worldwide, making it the second most common neurological disorder after Alzheimer's disease.
A groundbreaking study by the Weizmann Institute of Science and Ichilov Medical Center, led by Dr. Michal Andelman-Gor, Dr. Kobi Snitz, Professor Tanya Gurevich, and Professor Noam Sobel, recently published in Communications Medicine, identified distinctive breathing traits in Parkinson's patients. The research highlights that even before movement-related symptoms manifest, the brain regions regulating breathing are among the first to deteriorate. This insight led researchers to investigate whether altered breathing patterns could serve as an early indicator of the disease.
Primarily known for its impact on movement—causing tremors, stiffness, slowness, and balance difficulties—it also influences less-obvious aspects of health, including breathing patterns.
The study revealed that individuals with Parkinson's exhibit longer, steadier breaths compared to non-affected individuals, who display more variable breathing rates. These differences are tied to damage in respiratory centers of the brain caused by the disease. By analyzing just 30 minutes of breathing data and utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, researchers were able to identify Parkinson's patients with an impressive accuracy rate of 87%.
This discovery marks a significant step forward. Breathing patterns could become a critical tool for early Parkinson's detection, enabling timely intervention and better disease management. The findings not only deepen our understanding of Parkinson's but also pave the way for innovative diagnostic approaches, offering hope to millions worldwide.
* Ynet contributed to this article.