People living with Parkinson’s disease are up to 6 times more likely to develop dementia compared to the wider population. Now, a new study is finding out whether blood pressure could be an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease. 

The aim is to study people with low blood pressure to identify who may be at risk of developing Parkinson’s. This includes what blood pressure changes, symptoms and blood tests that could be early signs of the disease.

What is low blood pressure and could it be linked to Parkinson’s?

Low blood pressure is a reading of less than 90/60mmHg. Issues with low blood pressure when standing, also known as postural hypotension, can cause temporary dizziness, fainting and even brain fog. In some people, these symptoms may also be early signs of neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia with Lewy bodies.

The goal of the study is to improve early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. This will allow doctors and health professionals to identify people’s risk. This could mean that they can benefit from better monitoring and future treatments.

Parkinson’s disease can also cause damage to the brain, which can cause dementia in up to 70% of people with the condition. 

Dr Sasivimol Virameteekul, a consultant neurologist and research fellow, said: “From PREDICT-PD, we know that Parkinson’s often begins years before diagnosis, with early signals across sleep, smell, and subtle motor changes. 

“What’s new here is a focused look at low blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension—combining symptom profiling with clinic assessments and blood-based markers to see who may be at higher risk.

“If we can map how blood pressure changes with future risk of Parkinson’s, we can identify at-risk individuals earlier, monitor them more closely, and ultimately open the door to prevention or delay through targeted interventions as they emerge.”

What does the study involve?

The study includes an online assessment about the volunteer’s symptoms of low blood pressure and other health problems. Volunteers will also be able to take part in an optional hospital visit. Researchers will carry neurological examinations to assess their movements and memory. They will also monitor blood pressure and blood samples to test for neurological markers. 

The study will investigate people over 50 years old, have symptoms of low blood pressure, are diagnosed with ‘orthostatic hypotension’ or ‘postural hypotension’ and take regular treatment with midodrine or fludrocortisone.

The project is part of the PREDICT-PD, a study with more than 12,000 participants in the UK that has been running for the past 10 years.

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