Parkinson’s Disease May Leave Telltale Odor on Skin
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Parkinson’s UK, the largest charity funder of Parkinson’s research in the U.K., recently launched a new research project that explores the possibility of using an individual’s skin odor to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. Watch the video below to learn more about this new project from Parkinson’s UK’s director of research, Arthur Roach:
Scientists have reasons to believe patients with Parkinson’s disease undergo changes in the composition of the skin’s sebum, causing the oily substance to have a subtle, yet unique scent, only noticeable to individuals with a keen sense of smell. The idea was born when a Scottland-based “super-smeller” correctly identified which patients had Parkinson’s disease after just smelling the clothing they had slept in. In fact, she was able to detect the unique odor on people who have not yet developed the disease.
Researchers at Parkinson’s UK, lead by Professor Perdita Barran from the University of Manchester, decided to go with the idea and design a study to involve as many as 200 individuals who either had or did not have Parkinson’s disease. A non-invasive skin swab and short questionnaire will be obtained from these individuals, and the team will study the differences in the sebum’s chemical composition. Results will be anonymized before being sent to the Scottish super-smeller — and other scent experts — for confirmation.
Dr. Roach said: “It’s very early days in the research, but if it’s proved there is a unique odour associated with Parkinson’s, particularly early on in the condition, it could have a huge impact not just on early diagnosis, but it would also make it a lot easier to identify people to test drugs that may have the potential to slow, or even stop Parkinson’s, something no current drug can achieve.”
Pat Wells
How do i learn about the odor? My wife says my pillow stinks all the time and washes it regularly now. This oil smell on the pollow case may be telling me something early .
Kathy Cottrell
what can I do to help my husband's body odor? It's really extremely noxious. I can barely stand to be around him. Our grandchildren are having some difficulties. I hate all the things this horrific disease has done to this wonderful man, the odor is really quite bad.
many thanks
Sally
Please tell me something that csn be done to help my husband who has parkinsons and body odor he is very clean
Maureen Hayter
My husband has only just been diagnosed with Parkinson's so I know very little about it. It may be totally unrelated but, for the past couple of months, I have sometimes noticed a smell of ammonia or chlorine in the bathroom (think it is on his flannel), I can't quite decide. I can smell it sometimes too when I tumble dry his towels and flannel.
Barbara
Hello Kathy, did you ever get an answer to your question about the Parkinson’s odour. I too am having problems coping with this problem
Jackie Talamge
I have had a body odor that has lasted about tan years now and has increased over time. I occasionally smelled like bacon but my husband now says the bacon is rancid! My whole house has my body odor, very disgusting! This sounds like a progression towards Parkinson's. If there is a test or a research project on this please let me know.
DC
My husband has Parkinsons & leaves a very peculiar smell on his tee shirts and bedding.He is very clean, showers daily. It's not like he stinks up the whole house,but the bedroom does snell a little funky. The worst part is the smell doesn't even wash out of the affected fabric. He is unaware of it and I will never tell him as he can't help it or do anything to correct it.My grandfather had diabetes and also had an odd smell, however, I am pretty the odor was NOT the sane. I hate this disease, but he is making the best of it.
DC
P.S. I attempted to give this article 5 stars, but only 4 were registered.