Has anyone had a skin punch biopsy for diagnosis of Parkinson’s disea?

My husband had this as part of a PD study (PPMI.) It was two tiny "punches"- not a big deal and healed quickly, but he does not have PD diagnosis at this time.

I recently received the test. I had three “punch’s”, two in my leg and one in the back of my neck. Minimally intrusive and healed up in a week. Confirmed my diagnosis for Parkinson’s and also learned I have small fiber neuropathy.

Also wondering if it was painful and also about how long for the results?

Hello @gjnmt and welcome to the PD support group on Mayo Connect. The skin biopsy test is certainly interesting to determine if a person has Parkinson's. I appreciate you sharing about your experience. If you are comfortable sharing more, please share what type of symptoms you were having that led to this test. Are you now taking PD medications to control the symptoms?

For those in our group (like me) who are not familiar with this test, here is a link to information from the Michael J. Fox organization,
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/skin-test-parkinsons-what-you-need-know

Of the three “punch’s” the one in my thigh hurt. I had a topical anesthesia and didn’t feel the other two. All three spots were sore for about a week. Took a few weeks before I got the results.

My symptoms are slight weakness in my motor skills in my left, no sense of smell and not moving my left arm when I walk. Not currently on any meds.

I had the skin biopsy done about 4 weeks ago—1 punch on lower left leg, 1 on left thigh, 1 on upper back near neck. My neurologist used lidocaine first, and the punches barely hurt at all. They weren't sore afterwards and healed up quickly. It was 3 weeks before I got the test results, but there was no sign of Parkinson's or parkinsonian indicators. It did indicate that I have small fiber neuropathy (SFN), so now I'm going to follow up with a neurologist who specializes in that.

According to my neurologist and what I've read researching this test, the skin biopsy has VERY recently been shown to be a way of confirming or ruling out Parkinson's, with an accuracy in the high 90's percentile. Since many of my symptoms (tremor, balance issues, swallowing difficulties, mild cognitive decline, etc.) are common to PD, it was a relief to be able to rule it out. SFN is its own complicated health issue, but I've been on this journey for so long, any time I can rule out something, it allows me to focus on what IS wrong with me. I highly recommend doing the skin biopsy if you can. BTW, Medicare paid for it after the doctor got preapproval.
Skin Biopsy Accuracy:
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/simple-skin-test-may-detect-distinguish-parkinsons-related-diseases#:~:text=A%20simple%20skin%20biopsy%20can%20reliably%20detect%20the%20abnormal%20protein,Beth%20Israel%20Deaconess%20Medical%20Center.
Skin Biopsy vs DaTscan:
https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000202596#:~:text=Skin%20biopsy%20had%20greater%20diagnostic,diagnostic%20utility%20than%20a%20DaTscan.

Ok, maybe I'm just ornery and cynical, but submitting to another semi-invasive test would not be fun. I already turned down the DATScan due to invasiveness and COST. My end of the DATScan would have been like $225, net of my United Healthcare Medicare Advantage coverage. And that is this year 2024- next year's copay goes to over $600.

I keep reading how a PD diagnosis is overwhelmingly based on clinical observation. Let's get on with it!! Am I getting a benefit from Levodopa, or not? Is the Neurologist just ordering tests to run up the bill?

Like I said "ornery and cynical"?

No, I don’t think you’re being cynical or ornery since I don’t know you. However, I’ve been fighting Parkinson’s disease for my son for 9 years now. You should be getting improvement with Carbidopa/Levadopa. This also comes in an expensive slow-release formula. I think it would benefit you greatly to have the skin test. You never know! What if you have something causing the same symptoms. It can happen. My son’s wife divorced him because of Parkinson’s. They have 5 children and he won’t leave the state they’re in so because of that now he’s in assisted living. I refuse to allow this to continue! I want to get him back to NY with us so we can try alternative therapies. I’m going to make him an appointment with my Functional Medicine doctor. He can stay on the horrible Parkinson’s meds they have him on but I believe my doc, along with good nutrition and chiropractic care are really going to reverse this disease. Also, consider getting the book below. It’s awesome. I hope my doc treats him with the B-1. God bless you. Pray & hang in there.

I am going to have the PD SKIN PUNCH TEST NEXT WEEK AT University of Chicago. The lab that the biopsy goes to Arizona. My insurance will not cover the lab because they say they are out of network. BTW MY DEDUCTIBLE IS PAID IP FOR THE YEAR. I will have this test but am disappointed in AETNA INSURANCE