Khaberni -In an unprecedented medical achievement, British researchers have announced the development of a simple skin test that can detect Parkinson's disease as many as seven whole years before its onset.
The test, developed by scientists from the University of Manchester, relies on analyzing a naturally secreted skin lipid known as sebum, which has been shown to contain microscopic chemical compounds indicating the presence of the disease in its early stages, even before any clear symptoms appear.
This technique comes after years of unusual observations that discussed the ability of some individuals, known as "super-smellers," to smell a distinctive odor associated with Parkinson's disease.
One of these observers was Joy Milne, a retired British nurse, who noticed a change in her husband's scent ten years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, describing it as a "fatty, musky" odor. She is now part of the research team working to scientifically verify this phenomenon.
The test: simple and non-invasive
The team conducted tests on a sample of 83 people, including Parkinson's patients, healthy individuals, and others suffering from a disorder known as "rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder," which is known as an early warning sign of Parkinson's.
The results showed that individuals with "rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder" carry in their sebum a unique chemical signature that differs from healthy individuals but is similar to that seen in Parkinson's patients. This means the disease leaves its mark in the body seven years before traditional diagnosis.
Stunning accuracy and a promising test
In the experiment, Joy Milne was able to distinguish Parkinson's patients merely by smelling the sample. Moreover, she identified two cases of "rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder" that had not been diagnosed yet. Later, during their subsequent medical visits, they were indeed found to have Parkinson's disease.
Professor Perdita Barran, an expert in micro molecular measurements, says, "This is the first test to use a molecular marker for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. We are now approaching an era where doctors, through a simple swab from the face or back, can detect the disease early before it is too late."
The importance of early diagnosis
Although Parkinson's disease is still not entirely curable, early diagnosis allows patients to begin supportive treatment and better control symptoms, providing them additional years of quality life and independence.
Scientists hope that this test will soon be available in clinics and hospitals, especially since it is non-invasive, low-cost, and does not require cooling during transport, making it ideal for widespread use.
Parkinson’s: The Silent Disease
Parkinson's disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide, including about 90,000 annually in the United States and 18,000 in the United Kingdom.
The disease causes damage to brain cells that produce dopamine, leading to multiple symptoms, most notably tremors, slow movement, loss of balance, and mood and memory disorders.
Despite decades of research, the primary cause of Parkinson's disease is still not precisely known, but genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a collaborative role in its onset. Moreover, the risk of developing it increases with age.
