Study ties score derived from gene activity to cognitive changes, gait freezing
Written by Steve Bryson, PhD | Sept. 1, 2026
- Blood gene activity scores can effectively predict Parkinson’s complications like cognitive impairment and gait freezing, a study showed.
- Scores derived from inflammatory blood gene signatures independently correlated with risk of developing cognitive and movement issues.
- While these blood biomarkers show strong predictive value for long-term outcomes, external validation is needed.
A score derived from gene activity measured in blood samples can predict a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and gait freezing in people with Parkinson’s disease, according to a study.
The findings demonstrate that gene activity signatures in blood capture aspects of Parkinson’s biology that are not fully explained by neurodegeneration, and may serve as potential biomarkers for cognitive impairment and freezing of gait (a brief, sudden inability to move), the researchers said.
The study, “Peripheral blood transcriptomic signature is associated with cognitive impairment and freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: a data-driven approach,” was published in npj Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s is marked by motor symptoms such as bradykinesia (slowed movement), rigidity, and tremor, along with a range of nonmotor symptoms. The disease varies considerably among patients, and its underlying biology involves several overlapping processes, including clumps of proteins called Lewy bodies, impaired cellular waste clearance, and inflammation.
Because of this complexity, scientists have struggled to identify reliable blood-based biomarkers for diagnosing Parkinson’s and for subtyping or predicting its course.
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