Researchers found that patients with Parkinson's disease exhibited lower levels of copper and iron, as well as increased concentrations of manganese and arsenic in their hair. The most noticeable difference was the reduction in iron levels. Scientists believe that this indicator has diagnostic potential, as hair reflects long-term changes in the body, unlike blood or saliva tests.
Experiments on mice established that low iron levels in hair may indicate intestinal problems. Animals displaying symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease showed weakened intestinal barrier function and changes in the activity of genes responsible for iron absorption. This suggests a possible link between gut health and brain functions in neurodegenerative diseases.
The authors of the study emphasize that the obtained results are preliminary and require further confirmation on larger samples. If the results are validated, hair analysis could become an effective method for the early detection of Parkinson's disease in the future.
