WebMD is reporting on a potential blood test (a.k.a. biomarker) for Parkinson's disease that's resulted from a project funded by The Michael J. Fox Foundation. According to our own VP of Research Programs Mark Frasier, it's still early days and the finding requires replication through PPMI -- but it looks promising. The work was carried out by Robert Nagele of Durin Technologies and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. Read an excerpt of WebMD's report after the jump.

An experimental blood test for Parkinson's disease is more than 90% accurate in diagnosing the progressive disorder that affects movement and balance, according to its developers.

The test requires a single drop of blood, says Robert Nagele, PhD, a professor of medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine.

It looks for specific proteins that are produced by the body in response to Parkinson's disease, he tells WebMD.

Nagele is also the founder of Durin Technologies, the test developer. Another co-researcher is a paid consultant for the company.

No blood test is yet commercially available for Parkinson's, which affects 5 million people worldwide. The study is published in PLoS One.