White matter could be used as a digital biomarker for differential diagnosis of Parkinsonian syndromes, according to clinical research unveiled by medtech startup BrainTale.
BrainTale presented results from a study during the European Academy of Neurology and the World Parkinson Congress in Budapest, Hungary, and Barcelona, Spain, respectively. A spin-off from the Paris Region Greater Hospitals, BrainTale has built a CE-marked digital biomarker platform that uses white matter as an indicator for brain disease.
The study included 81 subjects either with Parkinson's disease, tauopathy, ⍺-synucleinopathy, or multiple system atrophy with phenotypes. The platform, which is available in SaaS (software as a service) mode for diffusion MRI machines, was able to differentiate patients’ populations based on differences in white matter. Quantification comparison between groups included anisotropy fraction and increased radial diffusivity.
According to BrainTale, the data shows the biomarker platform could be useful in highlighting the early stages of Parkinson’s disease in patients.
The company will use the €4.5m ($4.9m) funding acquired last month to help advance the non-invasive diagnosis technology.
The clinical study was led by Professor Stéphane Lehéricy, head of the neuroradiology department at the Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris Region Greater Hospitals, France.
Lehéricy commented: "These initial results obtained in patients with Parkinson's syndromes monitored prospectively confirm the value of these biomarkers for differentiating tremor aetiologies. In the long term, this could lead to improved management of such patients, particularly when symptoms are equivocal."
In April, the company presented the results of its digital platform’s ability to highlight Alzheimer’s disease.
A market model by GlobalData estimates the diagnostic imaging market will reach $45.8bn by 2030.
