Non-invasive Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease

This study aims to improve how Parkinson's disease is diagnosed by testing new, non-invasive techniques that do not require spinal taps or other invasive procedures. Researchers are investigating whether changes in the eye's retina, detected with hyperspectral imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT), can help pinpoint Parkinson's disease. These methods use special photographs and scans, similar to those performed at an eye clinic or optometrist, to analyze patterns linked to nerve cells and blood vessels in the retina.

Additionally, participants will take computerized tests to measure memory, attention, and thinking skills. Since Parkinson's disease can also affect speech, the study will analyze voice recordings for specific changes that are common in the disease, such as reduced volume and strength. By combining information from eye images, cognitive tests, and voice analysis, the project hopes to develop a faster and more accurate way to diagnose Parkinson's disease at an earlier stage.

The study is open to both people with Parkinson's disease and healthy volunteers, and the new diagnostic tools being tested could make future diagnosis simpler, more comfortable, and accessible to a wider population

Inclusion criteria

for Parkinson's group:

• Age 60-80 years
• Diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease
• Ability to understand spoken and written Swedish
• Ability to personally provide consent to participate in the study
• At least one healthy eye for retinal photography

Inclusion criteria

for control group:

• Age 60-80 years
• Ability to understand spoken and written Swedish
• Ability to personally provide consent to participate in the study
• At least one healthy eye for retinal photography
• Healthy as defined below

Exclusion criteria

• At least one eye must not have retinal disease, glaucoma, or vascular eye disease (such as embolism)
• Angle-closure glaucoma or other contraindication to mydriatic drops
• Low functional ability that makes participation in examinations impossible
• Diagnosed dementia
• Specifically for the control group: Not healthy according to the definition below

Definition of healthy:

• No diagnosed or suspected Parkinson's disease
• No diagnosed or suspected cognitive disease
• No psychiatric disease affecting cognition (e.g., psychotic disorder or major depression)
• Cognitive testing with MMSE ≥ 26 points (out of a maximum of 30) and ≥ 8 points on the clock-drawing test