Parkinson’s disease has long been associated with tremors, stiffness, and difficulty in movement. However, recent research has also revealed that changes in our olfactory senses may also be an early indicator of the disease.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects around 1% of the population over 60 years of age.

The disease is caused by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, leading to the characteristic motor symptoms of the disease.

The sense of smell and Parkinson’s disease

While Parkinson’s disease is primarily known for its devastating effect on motor function, it can also cause changes in the sense of smell.

A person with Parkinson’s disease may experience a loss of smell or a change in the perception of smell. Studies have shown that these changes in smell can occur several years before the motor symptoms begin to appear.

How does Parkinson’s disease affect smell?

The precise mechanism behind the changes in smell associated with Parkinson’s disease is not yet fully understood.

However, it is believed to be caused by the accumulation of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the part of the brain responsible for our sense of smell.

Alpha-synuclein is also the protein that forms the characteristic Lewy bodies found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease.

It is believed that the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the olfactory system disrupts the normal functioning of the cells responsible for our sense of smell.

Testing the sense of smell

Changes in the sense of smell can be measured using a variety of different tests. One common test is the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT).

The UPSIT consists of a series of scratch-and-sniff cards, each containing a different scent. The person being tested is asked to identify each scent.

A low score on the test may indicate a loss of smell or a change in the perception of smell, which may be an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease.

Can losing our sense of smell be a warning sign for Parkinson’s disease?

While losing our sense of smell is not always an early indicator of Parkinson’s disease, it can be a warning sign in some cases.

Several studies have shown that people who experience a sudden loss of smell are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the future.

One study found that people who lost their sense of smell had a 5-fold higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease within 10 years compared to people with a normal sense of smell.

However, not all people who lose their sense of smell will go on to develop Parkinson’s disease, and not all people with Parkinson’s disease will experience changes in their sense of smell.

The Parkinson-scented woman

While changes in the sense of smell can be an early warning sign of Parkinson’s disease, it can also have a profound impact on a person’s day-to-day life.

Related Article A woman with a Parkinson’s perfume

One woman, in particular, became known as the “Parkinson-scented woman” after she began to emit a strong, musky odor that was associated with the disease.

The woman, Joy Milne, first noticed the odor while caring for her husband, who was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She described the smell as “a sort of woody, musky odor that seemed to emanate from his body and clothes.”.

After her husband’s death, Joy began to attend support group meetings for people with Parkinson’s disease. At these meetings, she noticed that many of the other patients had the same distinctive odor as her husband.

She eventually contacted researchers at the University of Edinburgh, who were studying changes in the sense of smell in Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers were initially skeptical of Joy’s claims, as changes in the sense of smell had not been previously associated with Parkinson’s disease. However, they agreed to test her ability to detect the odor in a blind study.

The researchers presented Joy with a series of t-shirts, some of which had been worn by people with Parkinson’s disease and others by people without the disease.

They asked Joy to identify which t-shirts had been worn by people with Parkinson’s disease based on their odor alone.

To everyone’s amazement, Joy was able to correctly identify every t-shirt that had been worn by a person with Parkinson’s disease. She was also able to detect the odor on people who had not yet been diagnosed with the disease.

The future of Parkinson’s disease research

Joy’s ability to detect changes in the sense of smell associated with Parkinson’s disease is a promising development in the fight against the disease.

It provides a potential method for early detection, which could lead to earlier treatment and improved outcomes for patients.

It also highlights the complex nature of Parkinson’s disease and the wide range of symptoms that can be associated with the disease.

While changes in the sense of smell may not be the most visible symptom of Parkinson’s disease, they can provide a valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of the disease and the potential avenues for treatment.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease is a complex and devastating disorder that can have a wide range of symptoms.

While the loss of dopaminergic cells is the primary cause of the motor symptoms associated with the disease, changes in the sense of smell can also be an early warning sign.

The ability of people like Joy Milne to detect changes in the sense of smell associated with Parkinson’s disease is a promising development in the fight against the disease.

It provides a potential method for early detection, which could lead to earlier treatment and improved outcomes for patients.