Briton could “smell” Parkinson’s prompts new research

The widow of a man who suffered from Parkinson’s has triggered new research into the condition after she discovered she could “smell” the disease. Joy Milne, 65, told researchers that she had noticed a change the odour of the late husband, Les, years before he developed symptoms of Parkinson’s. He passed away from the disease, a nervous system disorder whose symptoms include shaking and slowness of movement earlier this year at the age of 65. She detected very subtle change in how Les smelled, slightly musky aroma. Milne made the connection between the smell and the disease after picking up the same scent from other sufferers. Researchers have now been prompted to investigate whether the condition triggers changes in Sebum, an oily substance secreted by the skin and aim to recruit people for the study. Swabs taken from

them will be analysed by machine at the molecular level.