Detection of Phosphorylated Alpha-synuclein Through Routine Colonoscopy to Diagnose Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders

What this Trial Is About

This observational study aims to find out if tissue samples taken from the colon during routine colonoscopies can reveal signs of Parkinson's disease. Researchers are investigating whether a protein called alpha-synuclein, which accumulates in people with Parkinson's, can be detected in these colon tissue samples. Early detection is important because Parkinson's is usually diagnosed only after symptoms like tremors and movement difficulties appear, by which time the disease has often advanced. Participants in the study are adults aged 40 to 99 who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and are already scheduled for a routine colonoscopy for colon cancer screening or other medical reasons. During the colonoscopy, doctors will take four small additional tissue samples from different parts of the colon. Before the procedure, participants will complete questionnaires about their symptoms, sleep, and thinking abilities, take a brief smell test, and collect a stool sample at home. There are no extra visits after the colonoscopy. Participants will be involved in a screening visit lasting about 1 to 2 hours before their colonoscopy. Researchers will analyze the colon tissue samples for the presence of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein at the time of the colonoscopy. The study also monitors common risks associated with colonoscopy, such as discomfort or rare complications. Participants will not receive individual test results. The goal is to improve early detection methods for Parkinson's disease, potentially helping future patients get diagnosed and treated sooner.

Colonoscopic Detection of Phosphorylated Alpha-synuclein for Parkinson's Diagnosis