News

Life Tips 27/06/2025 15:54

New study suggests earwax might offer early clues for Parkinson's disease

A new study indicates that earwax may provide insights into the early stages of Parkinson's disease.
Earwax may offer an unexpected early indicator of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a new study.
Specifically, the odor of earwax could help healthcare professionals identify this progressive neurological movement disorder, as outlined in the research published in Analytical Chemistry.
Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed after individuals begin showing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, slowed movement, and changes in their gait, according to medical experts.
This study suggests that volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released by sebum (the oily substance that lubricates and protects the skin) in the earwax of those with Parkinson’s, have a distinctive scent. This odor is linked to systemic inflammation, neurodegeneration, and oxidative stress associated with the progression of the disease, as highlighted in a report from the American Chemical Society.
"There is evidence that Parkinson’s patients produce excess sebum, and other research teams have shown that the chemical profiles of this sebum differ compared to those without PD," said Dr. Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, medical director of movement disorders, neuromodulation, and brain circuit therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, speaking with Fox News Digital.
(Jimenez-Shahed was not involved with this study.)
In this study, conducted in China, researchers analyzed earwax samples from 209 participants, with 108 of them diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Using advanced techniques to examine the chemicals in the earwax, the team identified four VOCs that were significantly different between individuals with and without Parkinson’s.
The researchers concluded that these four VOCs — ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltoluene, pentanal, and 2-pentadecyl-1,3-dioxolane — could serve as potential biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease.
Additionally, the researchers utilized the earwax data to train an artificial intelligence olfactory (AIO) system, which simulates the human sense of smell to detect and analyze VOCs. The AIO system demonstrated 94% accuracy in distinguishing between earwax samples from individuals with and without Parkinson’s.
The study’s authors suggested that the AIO system might eventually serve as a first-line screening tool for early detection of Parkinson’s, facilitating earlier treatment of the disease.
Since current treatments mainly focus on symptom management and improving quality of life without halting or reversing the disease, early diagnosis and intervention are essential, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
The report also mentioned that current Parkinson’s testing methods, such as imaging studies and clinical rating scales, can be expensive and subjective. This new detection method could offer a simpler and more cost-effective approach, although experts agree that further testing is required.
Limitations and Future Research
The study was conducted on a small scale at a single clinic in China, according to Hao Dong, one of the study authors from the Research Center for Frontier Fundamental Studies in China. "The next step is to conduct further research at various stages of the disease, across multiple research centers, and with different ethnic groups, to assess whether this method holds greater practical value," Dong said in a news release.
Dr. Jimenez-Shahed noted that this new diagnostic method could potentially be easier than testing with spinal fluid, skin biopsies, or specialized scans. However, she also cautioned that the VOC profiles reported in the study might differ from those found in other research. "Replication and/or an expanded sample size is needed before we can determine the true diagnostic potential of this test," she explained.
For individuals concerned about their Parkinson’s risk, Dr. Jimenez-Shahed recommends consulting a neurologist or movement disorder expert, who can perform a detailed screening for early signs and determine whether further testing or treatment is necessary.

News in the same category

Spotting a fatty liver: Here are 3 crucial symptoms you need to know

Spotting a fatty liver: Here are 3 crucial symptoms you need to know

Fatty liver disease is a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver. It can be caused by excessive alcohol (alcoholic fatty liver disease) or by other factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)

27/06/2025 01:31

News Post

[email protected]