Biomarkers of Parkinson's disease: current status and future perspectives

This review summarizes major advances in biomarker discovery for diagnosis, differential diagnosis and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD), with emphasis on neuroimaging and biochemical markers. Potential strategies to develop biomarkers capable of predicting PD in the prodromal stage before the appearance of motor symptoms or correlating with nonmotor symptoms, an active area of research, are also discussed.

► Parkinson's disease has appreciable rate of misdiagnosis.
► Imaging and biochemical markers aim to assist with diagnosis and progression.
► Imaging is more advanced, while biochemical markers may reflect pathogenesis.
► Major areas of research are geared towards developing pre- or nonmotor biomarkers.
► Combining imaging and biochemical markers are probably to move the field effectively.