Study finds link between blood components and brain disorders (High platelet width and Parkinson’s)

Medical Xpress / Mater / Cell Genomics ^ | Feb. 3, 2023 | Yuanhao Yang et al

[ConservativeMind]

A study has identified a previously unknown genetic link between platelets and Parkinson's Disease.

The study analyzed data from large-scale genetic studies to improve understanding of cause and effect relationships between blood measures and common neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Lead author Dr. Yang said the research came about following reports of associations between a range of different blood measures and risk of stroke, multiple sclerosis and depression.

"These results sparked interest in developing blood-based biomarkers for common brain disorders, but it was unclear whether there was a genetic basis to these relationships," Dr. Yang said.

"Our study identified a broad landscape of genetic overlap between blood cell measures and 11 neurological and psychiatric disorders."

"One notable finding was a cause and effect relationship between increased platelet distribution width and risk for Parkinson's Disease, suggesting that platelet parameters could be potential biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson's Disease."

"We also identified numerous genes shared by specific blood cell measures and brain disorders, some of which are targets of drugs that are approved for other conditions—this represents potential for repurposing those drugs for common brain disorders."

Prof Gratten said the findings "provide a foundation for future work to improve prevention and prognosis of common neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders."

[ConservativeMind]

Check your blood tests for Platelet Distribution Width (PDW) to see if you are on the high end.

Inflammation appears to cause some issues with this. Try to track down what might be the root cause and address it.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Jemian]

Great! Something else to keep me awake at night. I believe I know the cause of my “giant platelets” and it isn’t something easily treated. I don’t see symptoms of Parkinson’s ... yet.