THE HEALTH | DECEMBER , 2022

BRAIN BITES

BY DR WAEL MY MOHAMED

Currently , several biomarkers that may be used to assess illnesses are under development . These biomarkers may identify the existence of a disease and track its progression and treatment efficacy .

The high price of these biomarkers and their lack of specificity are obstacles . Dogs participating in groundbreaking pilot research have identified Parkinson ’ s disease on sample clothes with up to a 90 per cent success rate .

Sniffer dogs are being taught to see whether they can detect Parkinson ’ s disease by their sense of smell , using the same methods used to identify illicit narcotics , explosives , and cancer through their odours . Researchers have recently concluded a pilot study in which they taught six canines to identify the distinct odour of a Parkinson ’ s patient ’ s clothing with a “ primary reinforcer ” - a nice slice of turkey .

Five of the six dogs that participated in the research had a correct response rate of 80 per cent or higher to a T-shirt containing a smell sample from a person with Parkinson ’ s , and three of the dogs had a correct response rate of 90 per cent or higher .

People with Parkinson ’ s might benefit from canine Parkinson ’ s detection in two ways . First , the dogs may aid in early diagnosis , potentially even before the onset of symptoms , which can result in patients obtaining essential treatment sooner . Identifying Parkinson ’ s disease by dogs might lead to a more precise knowledge of a biomarker that identifies the illness ’ s existence or early beginnings .

The team hopes that once taught , the dogs will be able to give important information on how , where , and when a biomarker might manifest . A greater knowledge of signs of a disease may lead to the development of more effective means of illness management , treatment , and even eradication .

Tests with sniffer dogs may be an efficient , non-invasive , rapid , and costeffective way of identifying Parkinson ’ s disease ( PD ) patients in a community screening , health preventive , and neurology practice .

Parkinson ’ s disease-smelling lady

Scientists used the uncommon condition of a 72-year-old Scot to identify individuals with neurological disorders . Her extraordinary sense of smell aids in developing a new Parkinson ’ s disease diagnostic method .

After realising that Joy Milne could smell the illness , researchers spent years developing the test . The 72-yearold woman from Perth , Scotland , has an

enhanced sense of smell due to a unique ailment .

She noted that her late husband , Les , had a peculiar odour when he was 33 , which was 12 years before he was diagnosed with the condition that causes sections of the brain to deteriorate over time . Her finding grabbed the attention of experts , who proceeded to investigate what she could smell and if this might be used to identify others with the neurological disorder .

Years later , researchers at the University of Manchester developed a test that may detect Parkinson ’ s disease patients using a simple cotton swab rubbed over the back of the neck . Researchers may analyse the sample to discover chemicals associated with the condition , facilitating a diagnosis .

Skin biomarker

Scientists assumed that the odour was generated by a disease-induced chemical shift in sebum , a component of skin oil . In their exploratory research , they asked Milne to sniff T-shirts worn by Parkinson ’ s patients and healthy individuals .

She accurately recognised the T-shirts worn by Parkinson ’ s patients and said that one person in the group without the condition smelled like a Parkinson ’ s patient ; eight months later , that person was diagnosed with Parkinson ’ s . Researchers believed the discovery would lead to developing a test to detect Parkinson ’ s .

They hypothesised that if they could

Dr Wael MY Mohamed is with the Department of Basic Medical Science , Kulliyyah of Medicine , International Islamic University Malaysia ( IIUM ). identify a unique chemical signature in the skin associated with the condition , they would be able to diagnose it using simple skin swabs .

Using this knowledge , the scientists have now created a test . The experiments have been completed successfully in research laboratories , and experts are evaluating whether they can be used in hospitals .

If effective , the test might be used in the NHS , allowing general practitioners to send individuals for Parkinson ’ s examinations . The results , published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , describe how sebum may be analysed using mass spectrometry - a technique that weighs molecules - to diagnose the condition .

Certain compounds are exclusive to Parkinson ’ s disease patients . Currently , over 18,000 individuals are waiting for a neurology consultation in Greater Manchester , and it will take up to two years to clear the list if no new patients are added .

Ten to 15 per cent are suspected of having Parkinson ’ s disease . They may then be sent to the appropriate expert based on the results of a smell test that would indicate whether or not they have Parkinson ’ s . Therefore , we are already discussing the ability to send patients to the appropriate specialists promptly , which will be revolutionary .

Is it feasible that in the future , we will be able to detect the odour of Parkinson ’ s patients at the supermarket or on the street ? Is it ethically permissible to inform them that they have Parkinson ’ s disease ?

Which general practitioner would accept a man or woman stating , “ The lady / guy who smells Parkinson ’ s informed me I had it ?” Perhaps in the future , but not now . – The Health