PARKINSON’S is a condition which affects the brain, with it becoming damaged over many years.
There’s no cure for the condition, but spotting signs early on could help manage the illness.
GettyMedics in Lithuania said you might be able to hear one of the first signs of Parkinson’s[/caption]
Now experts have said it could be easier than ever to spot these signs, with a new telltale symptom having been discovered.
Medics in Lithuania said you might be able to hear one of the first signs of Parkinson’s.
The team at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) said that this could manifest in the early stages of the condition.
Their research revealed that patients with early-stage Parkinson’s tend to speak in a quieter, more monotonous tone.
In order to test this, the medics used artificial intelligence to analyse speech patterns of people speaking in Lithuanian.
Participants were placed in a soundproof booth where a microphone recorded the speech of people with and without Parkinson’s.
An algorithm then listened to the speech in order to detect the subtle changes that the human ear might not be able to pick up.
The medics also found that those with Parkinson’s may also speak in a slower more fragmented manner.
Rytis Maskeliūnas, a researcher from the Kaunas University of Technology said: “We are not creating a substitute for a routine examination of the patient – our method is designed to facilitate early diagnosis of the disease and to track the effectiveness of treatment.”
While the experts found that a change in speech might be a symptom, the NHS states there are three main signs of the condition.
These are:
involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, known as tremors slow movementstiff and inflexible muscles
Guidance states that a person with the condition might also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms.
This could include depression and anxiety as well as balance problems, which the NHS states might increase your chances of a fall.
Other signs might include a loss of smell, problems sleeping or memory issues.
Around 145,000 people in the UK are currently living with Parkinson’s, data from the Government states.
The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease is 2.7 per cent.
This is equivalent to one in every 37 people being diagnosed at some point in their lifetime, data from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states.
If you are worried about any of your symptoms then you should see your GP.
During the appointment you’ll be asked about the issues you’re experiencing and you may be referred for further tests.
It’s treated with supportive treatments such as physical therapy and occupation therapy.
You may also be prescribed medication and in some cases, you might need brain surgery, the NHS states.