MANCHESTER, UK – A woman who detected her husband’s Parkinson’s disease through smell, 12 years before his diagnosis, has played a crucial role in developing a groundbreaking early test for the condition.
Joy Milne, now famously known as the “Super Smeller,” partnered with researchers at the University of Manchester after they discovered that sebum, the oily substance secreted by the skin, carries chemical markers that can indicate Parkinson’s long before symptoms appear.
New Swab Test Detects Parkinson’s Up to 7 Years in Advance
Using mass spectrometry, scientists identified a unique chemical signature in sebum that appears years before physical symptoms emerge. This led to the development of a non-invasive skin swab test that could potentially detect Parkinson’s up to seven years early.
“This test could be a game-changer in managing Parkinson’s before it significantly affects quality of life,” the research team noted.
The project was conducted in collaboration with Salford Royal NHS Trust and the University of Innsbruck.
Distinct Chemical Profile in High-Risk Individuals
Researchers collected sebum samples from three groups:
- People diagnosed with Parkinson’s
- Healthy individuals
- Patients with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD)—a sleep disorder considered a strong precursor to Parkinson’s.
The chemical profiles of those with iRBD showed early Parkinson’s markers, though milder than those in diagnosed patients, providing strong evidence that Parkinson’s leaves detectable traces on the body well before symptoms surface.
Joy Milne’s Unique Role in Detection
Joy Milne first noticed a “musty, unpleasant smell” on her husband Les, especially around his shoulders and neck, long before his diagnosis. She later realised others with Parkinson’s emitted the same odor when she joined him at a support group.
Milne’s extraordinary sense of smell was instrumental during research trials. She was able to correctly identify swabs from people with iRBD and Parkinson’s, including two individuals who were later confirmed to have Parkinson’s.
“We found at least 55 significant markers in the sebum of people with Parkinson’s and iRBD,” the study reported.
Hope for Early Intervention
With further validation, this swab test could become a first-of-its-kind predictive tool, allowing earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment, and better disease management.
Parkinson’s disease affects millions worldwide, and early detection could slow its progression or improve outcomes through earlier medical intervention.
