Posavi M, Diaz-Ortiz M, Liu B, et al. - In 141 plasma samples from a longitudinally followed Discovery Cohort based at the University of Pennsylvania, levels of 1,129 proteins, using an aptamer-based platform, were measured to sought blood-based biomarkers in order to give molecular characterization of people with Parkinson disease (PD) for diagnostic verification and prognostication of progression. In individuals with PD vs individuals without PD, it was discovered that blood levels of four proteins—bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteomodulin (OMD), aminoacylase-1 (ACY1), and growth hormone receptor (GHR)—constantly varied. Also, it was identified that lower GHR levels at baseline prognosticated a faster rate of cognitive deterioration in individuals with PD. Thus, in this study, findings revealed that across various clinical sites, the blood-based biomarkers BSP, OMD, ACY1, and GHR strongly related to PD. Also, it was suggested that in PD, for both disease characterization and prognostication of future disease progression, biomarkers based on a peripheral blood sample could be generated.