In a study from The University of Manchester, scientists found a new method to detect Parkinson’s disease from skin swabs in 3 minutes.
The study found that there are lipids of high molecular weight that are substantially more active in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers from used cotton swabs to sample people and identify the compounds present with mass spectrometry.
The method developed involves paper spray ionization mass spectrometry combined with ion mobility separation and can be performed in as little as three minutes from swab to results.
In the study, the team used a sample group of 79 people with Parkinson’s compared with a heathy control group of 71 people.
The study has arisen from the observation of Joy Milne, who discovered that she can distinguish PD in individuals from a distinct body odor before clinical symptoms occur.
Joy has hereditary Hyperosmia—a heightened sensitivity to smells—which has been exploited to find that Parkinson’s has a distinct odor that is strongest where sebum collects on patients’ backs and is less often washed away.
Sebum is an oily secretion from sebaceous glands under the skin which are connected to the endocrine system.
Scientists have found that sebum can be used as a diagnostic biofluid, which is rich in hydrophobic endogenous metabolites.
Altered sebum production is a well-recognized feature of Parkinson’s.
The sampling procedure they have developed is simple and non-invasive; sebum is collected in clinics from the upper back of patients and posted in the regular mail to the lab.
The team now sees this as a major step forward toward a clinical method for confirmatory diagnosis of Parkinson’s, for which to date there is no diagnostic test based on biomarkers.
The team says this test has the potential to massively improve the diagnosis and management of people with Parkinson’s disease.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about foods that may reduce death risk in Parkinson’s disease, and food high in flavonoids helps prevent Parkinson’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about exercise that reduces Parkinson’s symptoms, and results showing people with Parkinson’s may benefit from 7 walking strategies.
The study was conducted by Professor Perdita Barran et al and published in the JACS Au.
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