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Diagnosis by smell?

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Elegran Fri 23-Oct-15 12:16:41

The wife who could smell that her husband had Parkinsons, and when tested went on to be accurate in 11 out of 12 cases - and the twelfth was diagnosed later.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-34583642

Scientists believe that changes in the skin of people with early Parkinson's produces a particular odour linked to the condition.

They hope to find the molecular signature responsible for the odour and then develop a simple test such as wiping a person's forehead with a swab.

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Alea Fri 23-Oct-15 12:22:13

I imagine dogs which are trained to detect oncoming epileptic fits or certain cancers are using their highly developed sense of smell, so this sounds very plausible and encouraging for some early diagnoses.

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Nelliemoser Fri 23-Oct-15 12:49:34

They get dogs for sniffing out skin cancers
My FIL used to say you coud detect measles in a poorly child as the had a mousy smell.
Most of us having had kids who were vaccicnated it must be a dying art.
uttely fascinating.

It's good the Drs took this rather odd Parkinsons finding seriously. It could be worth exploring this finding for diagnosing other conditions.

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Nelliemoser Fri 23-Oct-15 13:19:03

Vaccinated

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Falconbird Sat 24-Oct-15 06:47:20

Regarding dogs and their ability to sniff out cancer. I had a benign cancer on my leg some years ago and my dear old dog did sniff my leg often and then would look up at me. It was partly his interest which made me go to the doctor.

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