Woman Detects Smell of Parkinson’s
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- 15 hours ago
- 1 min read
Joy Milne, a 75-year-old Scottish woman with an exceptional sense of smell due to hereditary hyperosmia, detected a distinct odor on her husband, Les, 12 years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Recognizing the significance of this scent, she collaborated with researchers from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester to investigate the phenomenon. In controlled tests, Joy accurately identified individuals with Parkinson's by smelling T-shirts they had worn, even predicting a diagnosis before clinical symptoms appeared. This collaboration led to the development of a non-invasive skin-swab test that detects specific compounds in sebum associated with Parkinson's, aiming for earlier and more accurate diagnoses. The research, supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, holds promise for transforming Parkinson's detection and treatment, offering hope for millions affected by the disease.
Image via People
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