AI drives advances in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s
3 minutes read
- On World Parkinson’s Day, Dr Tarannum Khan, of Cleveland Clinic, highlights how artificial intelligence is improving early detection and treatment of the disease.
8 April 2026, Cleveland. To mark World Parkinson’s Day, Dr Tarannum Khan, a specialist at Cleveland Clinic, highlighted the importance of early detection and of technological advances in tackling this progressive neurological disease. She explained that Parkinson’s mainly affects movement because of the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that is key to motor coordination.
The most common symptoms include tremors, stiffness and slowness of movement. The specialist stressed, however, that the first signs are usually subtle and often overlooked: changes in handwriting, less arm swing when walking, or alterations in the voice and facial expression.
She also warned that there are non-motor symptoms that can appear years earlier, among them sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, constipation and loss of smell. “These signs are often mistaken for stress or ageing, which delays a timely diagnosis,” said Khan.
On risk factors, she noted that most cases have no defined cause, although a small percentage is linked to genetic factors. The risk rises with age and is slightly higher in men, with no conclusive evidence of a direct relationship with ethnicity.
On diagnosis, she explained that it rests mainly on clinical assessment, supported by tests such as the DAT scan and, in some cases, skin biopsies. In that context she highlighted the emerging role of artificial intelligence, which makes it possible to analyse brain images, movement patterns and changes in speech to help detect the disease earlier.
Although there is currently no cure, the treatments available make it possible to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Dr Khan noted that the use of artificial intelligence and new technologies is transforming medical care by allowing more personalised treatments and a better understanding of how the disease progresses.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care built on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 70,800 employees worldwide are more than 4,660 salaried physicians and researchers, and 18,500 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialities and subspecialities. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 19 hospitals, more than 220 outpatient centres and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and London, England. In 2020, there were a total of 8.7 million outpatient visits, 273,000 hospital admissions and observations and 217,000 surgical cases across the Cleveland Clinic health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries.