Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder, can manifest as an array of motor and non-motor symptoms. Among these, speech and language impairments are particularly prevalent, often preceding motor dysfunctions. Emerging research indicates that these impairments may...

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Main Authors: Fangyuan Cao, Adam P. Vogel, Puya Gharahkhani, Miguel E. Renteria
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:npj Parkinson's Disease
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00913-4
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author Fangyuan Cao
Adam P. Vogel
Puya Gharahkhani
Miguel E. Renteria
author_facet Fangyuan Cao
Adam P. Vogel
Puya Gharahkhani
Miguel E. Renteria
author_sort Fangyuan Cao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder, can manifest as an array of motor and non-motor symptoms. Among these, speech and language impairments are particularly prevalent, often preceding motor dysfunctions. Emerging research indicates that these impairments may serve as early disease indicators. In this narrative review, we synthesised current findings on the potential of speech and language symptoms in PD identification and progression monitoring. Our review highlights convergent, albeit preliminary, lines of evidence supporting the value of speech-related features in detecting early or prodromal PD, even across language groups, especially with sophisticated analytical techniques. Distinct speech patterns in PD subtypes and other neurological disorders may assist in differential diagnosis and inform targeted management efforts. These features also evolve over the disease course and could effectively be utilised for disease tracking and guide management plan modifications. Advances in digital voice processing allow cost-effective, remote and scalable monitoring for larger populations.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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series npj Parkinson's Disease
spelling doaj-art-9e548a57cf404bf997126145df8904ce2025-08-20T02:10:17ZengNature Portfolionpj Parkinson's Disease2373-80572025-03-0111111110.1038/s41531-025-00913-4Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progressionFangyuan Cao0Adam P. Vogel1Puya Gharahkhani2Miguel E. Renteria3Brain & Mental Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteCentre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of MelbourneSchool of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of QueenslandBrain & Mental Health Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteAbstract Parkinson’s disease (PD), a multifaceted neurodegenerative disorder, can manifest as an array of motor and non-motor symptoms. Among these, speech and language impairments are particularly prevalent, often preceding motor dysfunctions. Emerging research indicates that these impairments may serve as early disease indicators. In this narrative review, we synthesised current findings on the potential of speech and language symptoms in PD identification and progression monitoring. Our review highlights convergent, albeit preliminary, lines of evidence supporting the value of speech-related features in detecting early or prodromal PD, even across language groups, especially with sophisticated analytical techniques. Distinct speech patterns in PD subtypes and other neurological disorders may assist in differential diagnosis and inform targeted management efforts. These features also evolve over the disease course and could effectively be utilised for disease tracking and guide management plan modifications. Advances in digital voice processing allow cost-effective, remote and scalable monitoring for larger populations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00913-4
spellingShingle Fangyuan Cao
Adam P. Vogel
Puya Gharahkhani
Miguel E. Renteria
Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
npj Parkinson's Disease
title Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
title_full Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
title_fullStr Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
title_full_unstemmed Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
title_short Speech and language biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease prediction, early diagnosis and progression
title_sort speech and language biomarkers for parkinson s disease prediction early diagnosis and progression
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-025-00913-4
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