Tiny Gold Nanoparticles Show Promise For Early Parkinson's Disease Detection: Study Suggests

A recent study published in the Nanoscale journal (Royal Society of Chemistry) reveals a promising nanotechnology-based tool for the early detection of Parkinson's Disease (PD), led by Dr. Sharmistha Sinha at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali.

Parkinson’s, one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders globally, is projected to affect a growing number of people in India due to an aging population, creating a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Early diagnosis remains a challenge, as most cases are identified only after significant brain damage has occurred.

The research focused on detecting harmful changes in a protein called α-synuclein, known to be linked with PD. This protein transforms from a harmless form to toxic aggregates that damage brain cells. The team developed gold nanoclusters (AuNCs)—tiny, glowing particles only a few nanometers wide—coated with amino acids to selectively bind either the normal or toxic protein forms. Proline-coated clusters bound to the normal protein, while histidine-coated clusters attached to the toxic aggregates, enabling clear differentiation.