British scientists are close to developing a skin test that can detect Parkinson's disease by analyzing compounds in sebum, the oily substance that coats and protects the human skin.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows it's possible to identify Parkinson's by analyzing compounds found on the skin surface. Based on these findings, scientists at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom are developing a simple skin swab test said to be 85% accurate in detecting Parkinson's.
Scientists said skin compounds change in people with Parkinson's. Sebum is rich in lipid-like molecules and people with Parkinson's produce more sebum than normal in a condition known as seborrhoea.
There are currently no specific tests to diagnose Parkinson's. Neurologists normally diagnose Parkinson's based on a patient's medical history, a review of signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
The skin swab has the potential to become an incredibly important new tool in clinical trials. It will help researchers measure whether new, experimental treatments are able to slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson's.
Researchers used high resolution mass spectrometry to profile the complex chemical signature in sebum of people with Parkinson's. The results show subtle but fundamental changes as the condition progressed.
In-depth analysis showed changes in lipid (fat) processing and mitochondria in people with Parkinson's. Problems with mitochondria, or the tiny energy-producing "batteries" that power cells, are one of the hallmarks of Parkinson's.
The study said this "world first" testing strategy is both useful in diagnosing Parkinson's and monitoring the development of the condition. It also found that novel diagnostic sebum-based biomarkers for Parkinson's, provide insight into understanding of how the condition develops. It links lipid dysregulation to altered mitochondrial function.
Researchers recruited 500 people with and without Parkinson's as part of the study. Samples of sebum were taken from their upper backs for analysis.
Ten chemical compounds in sebum were identified as elevated or reduced in people with Parkinson's using different mass spectrometry methods. These findings allowed scientists to distinguish people with Parkinson's with 85% accuracy.
The study confirmed the team's earlier findings published in ACS Central Science that volatile compounds on the skin can be used to diagnose Parkinson's.
These promising results might later lead to a definitive skin swab test to diagnose Parkinson's accurately, speedily and cost effectively. The research team now seeks funding to further develop the test and explore the potential for using the test to 'stratify' patients.
Parkinson's is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The most obvious early symptoms are tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and difficulty with walking.
