London: In what could be called a major
breakthrough, scientists claim to have developed a voice test
which can predict Parkinson`s disease years earlier in people.
Parkinson`s is normally only diagnosed once symptoms
show -- meaning it`s already at an advanced stage and patients
have lost a significant number of brain cells. Now, an Israeli
team has devised a test to predict the neurological disorder.
In their research, the team from Haifa University have
discovered that by measuring tiny changes in speech patterns,
undetectable to human ear, they can tell whether a seemingly
healthy person is a sufferer.
Accordingly, they developed a computer programme that
can identify a Parkinson`s "voice", which they claim could be
used for screening those who are at the hereditary risk of the
disease or as part of a national screening programme, British
newspaper the `Daily Mail` reported.
Speech is affected by the disorder because it causes a
deterioration of muscles in the neck and mouth -- giving some
sufferers a husky voice. But the change is apparent to human
ear after the disease has been diagnosed through symptoms such
as rigid muscles, tremors, slow movement, and loss of balance.
The new test needs only a couple of sentences from
patients, say the scientists.
PTI