Early Parkinson's disease symptom you can hear decades before tremors appear

Early Parkinson's disease symptom you can hear decades before tremors appear Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the brain and causes uncontrollable movements such as shaking, tremors, and stiffness Parkinson's disease, a condition affecting the brain that triggers uncontrollable movements such as shaking, tremors and stiffness, is the world's fastest growing neurological condition. The illness is caused by the loss of nerve cells in a specific area of the brain, and currently has no cure. According to Parkinson's UK, the total number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s is around 166,000, as of 2026. While tremors and slowed movement are the primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease, research has revealed a warning sign that could emerge long before a person receives their diagnosis. Scientists have previously identified a link between a Parkinson's disease gene and vocal problems, resulting in a soft, monotonous voice. These vocal changes often appear far earlier - sometimes decades - before movement-related symptoms develop. This is according to a study carried out on songbirds by neuroscientists in the lab of Julie E Miller, assistant professor at the University of Arizona, reports Surrey Live. By studying the zebra finch, whose brain region responsible for speech and language is organised remarkably similarly to that of humans, scientists discovered that the gene did indeed affect song production. Birds carrying the gene sang less frequently after two months, and sang less at the beginning of a song session three months after receiving the gene. Their vocalisations were also softer and shorter - findings that closely mirror what is observed in Parkinson's disease. Breakthroughs in Parkinson's research have resulted in the creation of an automated screening technique capable of differentiating between the voices of Parkinson's patients and healthy people. Researchers at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, found their model could correctly identify 80 to 90 per cent of cases amongst those with Parkinson's Disease. The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) identifies four main motor symptoms of the condition, including bradykinesia, which is slow movement. Bradykinesia can affect a person's voice, potentially making it quieter or beginning strongly before trailing off. There may also be a reduction in normal fluctuations in volume and emotion, creating a monotone quality. In later stages, speech may become rushed and jumbled, or stammering may develop. Furthermore, bradykinesia can produce a "mask-like" facial expression, making it challenging to read emotions. Speech difficulties differ amongst individuals with Parkinson's, with some experiencing difficulty in locating the right words.