Diagnosing Parkinson’s disease in 3 minutes is now possible!
As we often say, the first phase for healing, this is the diagnosis. Indeed, the early and precise identification of a condition greatly increases the chances of recovery. Scientists have recently developed a fast and reliable method identifying Parkinson’s disease in an individual.
Until now, doctors have relied on symptoms, physical exams and brain scans to identify the disease. This new test makes it possible to obtain results in just three minutes after taking a skin swab.
The research carried out by the Scottish Joy Milne is at the origin of this new test. She has hereditary hyperosmia, increased sensitivity to odors.
The sebum of the skin helps to diagnose the disease early
She noticed a musky smell in her husband, years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It was found that Ms. Milne could sense the signs of illness in people.
“This test has the potential to massively improve the diagnosis and management of people with Parkinson’s disease.”
Monty Silverdale, neurologist from the University of Manchester in the UK
This led the team to sebum, an oily substance that keeps the skin hydrated. Thus, the sebum will be used as an indicator of a normal biological process or biomarker. Analysis of the skin swab taken will be used to detect changes in the chemical mixture of this one.
Other applications for this new method?
Parkinson’s disease is marked by a meteoric rise in the world. Till today, no medicine can cure it completely. Current treatments only allow it to be slowed down and managed and this is where early diagnosis is important.
Thus, the present new test is particularly encouraging in that it is non-invasive and produces results very quickly. However, scientists have yet to find a way to be able to use it outside the laboratory.
“We are extremely excited about these results which bring us closer to a diagnostic test for Parkinson’s disease that could be used in the clinic.”
Perdita Barran, chemist at the University of Manchester
The researchers say that you can also use sebum analysis to diagnose other diseases.
It should be noted that at present, researchers do not yet know precisely why Parkinson’s disease causes changes in the production of this fluid essential to the skin.
SOURCE: SCIENCEALERT
