Research discovers symptoms that Parkinson’s detects early

Communications UTalca.- The decrease in tongue strength would be one of the symptoms that would allow early detection of Parkinson’s disease, as established by a pioneering study carried out by the academic of our University, Ezequiel Plaza Taucare.

According to the professor at the School of Phonoaudiology, “this study is unprecedented due to the number of people we were able to recruit, and the first thing we established was that the strength of the tongue is decreased in people with Parkinson’s in relation to people of the same age who do not have the condition.

In this sense, the specialist explained that this signal manifests itself long before the most obvious symptoms of this condition, such as tremors of the extremities, so it would allow early detection of it.

In addition, the results make it possible to measure the progression of the pathology in the patients. “The strength of the tongue is an indicator or a biomarker of the progression of the disease. Therefore, it is feasible to correlate the weakness of this body with its level of progress, something that had not been done before,” Plaza stressed.

“This is not just a Chilean or Latin American finding, but a worldwide one, and we are very happy about it,” said the scientist.

Incidence in Chile

Parkinson’s is estimated to affect 2% of the world’s population. However, in our country it has a higher incidence, which highlights the importance of this discovery.

“In Chile, in the last 16 years, the incidence of this disease has increased significantly above the Latin American average, that is, proportionally in terms of population, in our country there are more people with Parkinson’s than in the rest of South America,” explained the investigator.

Along these lines, the results of this research would provide strong guidelines for treating affected people. “Obviously, it is a discovery that not only generates more knowledge for us, but also gives us guidance on how to carry out our clinical and preventive actions,” he explained.

Support groups

As part of the commitment to the community, since 2014, the University of Talca participates in the support group for Parkinson’s patients organized by CESFAM La Florida, in the capital of Maulina.

In this space, Professor Plaza, along with professionals from various disciplines, provide therapeutic support to people with this condition, in order to improve their quality of life.

“We are working with them to prevent further deterioration and mainly, work on the functionalities so that they can continue with their daily skills of eating, speaking well, communicating, participating in the community, that is, improving their quality of life,” he stated.

For Elizabeth Rojas Rubio, who is one of the people who attends the group, the support received has been fundamental, since, thanks to the treatment, she has recovered the mobility of her facial muscles and modulation when communicating. “When I started with this disease I couldn’t speak, but it helped us a lot to understand that with Parkinson’s we lost the strength of our tongue. With all the exercises that we have been practicing, we have recovered the strength and the gestures of the face that becomes rigid, ”she explained.

In the case of Hilda Caris Tobar, her illness is more advanced, so the group has helped her continue an active life.

“The unconditional help of Mr. Plaza has been fundamental for us in improving swallowing, training and breathing, with great benefits for us.”