Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Skin Swabs Could Detect Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms Appear

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Jul 2025

Parkinson’s disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as motor symptoms do not appear until later in the progression of the disease. More...

The ability to detect the disease up to seven years before symptoms emerge would be transformative, allowing for earlier interventions and improved outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods do not identify Parkinson’s until physical symptoms manifest, leaving patients at a disadvantage. However, recent research has shown that the chemical composition of skin, specifically the sebum produced by the skin, contains biomarkers that may reveal signs of Parkinson’s disease in its earliest stages. Now, researchers have developed a novel non-invasive sampling method to detect these biomarkers, opening the door to earlier diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Researchers at The University of Manchester (Manchester, UK) along with collaborators used a technique known as Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) to analyze skin swabs from participants with Parkinson’s disease, healthy controls, and individuals with isolated REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD), a condition often seen as an early warning sign of Parkinson’s. By analyzing the chemical profiles of the sebum, they were able to identify distinct biomarkers in individuals with iRBD, who had chemical profiles different from healthy controls but less pronounced than those with Parkinson’s. This technique revealed that Parkinson’s disease leaves a detectable trace on the body long before physical symptoms appear.

The findings of this study, published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, showed that people with iRBD exhibited chemical profiles in their sebum that were distinct from healthy individuals, supporting the idea that Parkinson’s can be detected early. The team also discovered that this non-invasive method could be used to track the progression of Parkinson’s disease, offering the potential for regular monitoring and improved treatment outcomes. The results were validated when a trained "super smeller" was able to distinguish between Parkinson’s and iRBD in skin swabs. The next step in the research is to refine this method to make it a practical tool for clinical use, with further studies aimed at expanding its applications for other diseases.’

“This is the first study to demonstrate a molecular diagnostic method for Parkinson’s disease at the prodromal or early stage,” said Professor Perdita Barran, Professor of Mass Spectrometry at The University of Manchester. “It brings us one step closer to a future where a simple, non-invasive skin swab could help identify people at risk before symptoms arise allowing for earlier intervention and improved outcomes.”

Related Links:
University of Manchester


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
LIAISON PLEX Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The ONC IN-CYT platform leverages cross indication biomarker cyto-signatures (Photo courtesy of OraLiva)

AI-Powered Cytology Tool Detects Early Signs of Oral Cancer

Each year, 54,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer, yet only 28% of cases are identified at an early stage, when the five-year survival rate exceeds 85%. Most diagnoses occur in later stages, when... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PD-1 protein blockade is the standard treatment for advanced melanoma among the different types of immunotherapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Precision Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Treatment Failure in Melanoma Patients

Melanoma, though accounting for only about 4% of skin tumors, is the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its high potential to metastasize. While immunotherapy, especially PD-1 protein blockade, has revolutionized... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed a novel method to analyze tumor growth rates (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Novel Method To Analyze Tumor Growth Rates Helps Tracks Progression Between Diagnosis and Surgery

Patients diagnosed with breast cancer often worry about how quickly their tumors grow while they wait for surgery, and whether delays in treatment might allow the disease to spread beyond the point of cure.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.