Biosensors for Early Detection of Parkinson’s Disease: Principles, Applications, and Future Prospects

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder marked by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, imposes substantial economic burdens, including both direct and indirect costs. The medical community currently lacks a definitive cure for Parkinson’s disease, and early detection is crucial for timely intervention and disease management. As innovative diagnostic tools, biosensors have shown great potential in detecting PD at its early stages. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in biosensors for the early detection of PD, with a particular focus on the detection of two key biomarkers: dopamine (DA) and α-synuclein (α-syn). Furthermore, it illustrates a variety of nanotechnology-based biosensors, including optical, electrochemical, and transistor biosensors, detailing their underlying principles, advantages, limitations, and applications in PD detection. Moreover, the review explores the challenges and prospects of advancing biosensors for early PD diagnosis.