Differential scanning calorimetry study of early and advanced stages in Parkinson's disease using human blood serum

The study evaluates the use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in differentiating the severity of Parkinson's disease (PD). The heat capacity profiles and thermodynamic parameters of serum denaturation transition in advanced PD deviate significantly from the age-matched healthy controls. Unfortunately, blood serum calorimetry does not indicate the early stages of the disease. The amplitude of the main transition and the enthalpy of serum denaturation are significantly reduced with advanced disease. Statistically significant, inverse correlations have been found between these parameters and age as well as disease severity. Significantly higher mean temperature of the second transition at about 70 C, has been observed for PD patients in comparison with healthy participants but only small its deviations have appeared across disease groups. Results of the study indicate that DSC can be used as complementary bioanalytical tool for the monitoring of disease-related changes in serum and PD progression.