New Study Reveals Skin Swabs May Identify Parkinson's Disease Years Before Symptoms Manifest

Tue 15th Jul, 2025

A recent study has uncovered significant advancements in a non-invasive method for detecting early indicators of Parkinson's disease, potentially identifying the condition as much as seven years prior to the onset of motor symptoms. The research highlights the role of specific chemical compounds found in skin oil, known as sebum, as key biomarkers for early-stage Parkinson's.

Published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease, the study was conducted by researchers from The University of Manchester in collaboration with Salford Royal NHS Trust and the University of Innsbruck. Utilizing a technique called Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), the team analyzed skin swabs from participants, which included individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's, healthy volunteers, and patients suffering from isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD)--a recognized precursor to Parkinson's disease.

The findings revealed that participants with iRBD exhibited distinct chemical profiles in their sebum compared to healthy individuals, although these markers were not as pronounced as those found in established Parkinson's patients. This suggests that markers of Parkinson's disease can be detected on the body before significant physical symptoms emerge.

Notably, Joy Milne, noted for her unique ability to detect specific scents associated with the disease, was able to differentiate between skin swabs from individuals with iRBD and those without. Remarkably, she identified two iRBD cases in which patients were later diagnosed with Parkinson's during subsequent clinical evaluations.

Professor Perdita Barran, a leading researcher in mass spectrometry at The University of Manchester, stated that this is the first study to illustrate a molecular diagnostic method for Parkinson's disease at its early or prodromal stage. This advancement paves the way for a future where simple skin swabs could facilitate earlier identification of individuals at risk, leading to timely interventions and improved health outcomes.

The study involved over 80 participants, comprising 46 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's, 28 healthy controls, and 9 with iRBD. Researchers identified 55 significant features in sebum that varied across these groups, reinforcing the potential for early detection.

Additionally, Dr. Drupad Trivedi, a researcher involved in the study, developed a model that analyzed markers over a three-year period. His longitudinal research indicated patterns that could be useful in tracking the progression of Parkinson's disease, aiding in the refinement of treatment strategies and enhancing patient care.

Collecting sebum is a straightforward process, involving gauze swabs taken from the face or upper back, making it an ideal candidate for non-invasive routine screenings and regular monitoring. Previous investigations by the research team have indicated that sebum samples do not require the same cold storage conditions as other biofluids, such as blood, potentially reducing healthcare costs.

The inspiration for this research stemmed from Joy Milne's observations of a unique scent associated with Parkinson's disease, prompting the University of Manchester team to investigate sebum as a source of diagnostic biomarkers. Using mass spectrometry, they discovered that sebum contains distinctive markers for Parkinson's, leading to the development of this innovative non-invasive testing method.

These findings were further corroborated by a separate study published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, which demonstrated that trained dogs could accurately detect the odor of Parkinson's disease through skin swabs collected from patients participating in the research.

Researchers are now focused on refining and enhancing the sebum-based testing method to make it a viable tool for practical application in clinical settings.

In summary, the goal is to create a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic test that can assist healthcare professionals in identifying Parkinson's disease earlier, monitoring its progression, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. The researchers are also interested in collaborating with other individuals with heightened olfactory abilities, like Joy Milne, to explore the potential for detecting other diseases with identifiable odor signatures.


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