Lay summary
Parkinson’s disease is an incurable progressive neurological disorder that is projected to become increasingly common as our population ages. By the time the disease is clinically diagnosed, large numbers of nerve cells in the brain have already been lost. Better methods for early detection would be a major breakthrough, allowing for early intervention. Tear fluid is an easily-accessible patient fluid that could provide a window into biochemical changes taking place in the brain. In this project, we propose to discover biomarkers from reflex tear fluid of Parkinson’s disease patients. We will use highly-innovative approaches to detect these biochemical signatures of disease. These biomarkers could be used for early diagnosis, for monitoring progression or for screening at-risk populations, and therefore this research promises impacts for the health of all New Zealanders and worldwide.