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Scientists discover the chemicals behind the unique Parkinson’s smell

economist.com

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Re: Scientists discover the chemicals behind the unique Parkinson’s smell

#5

Post by pcl »

chrischen wrote: post #2

EDITED: She can also smell Alzheimer's, even before a person is about to develop it. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1107030/dementia...

EDIT: oops, missed the Alzheimer’s reference. Nonetheless, the title appears wrong, unless her husband had both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

---

I suspect that’s just a mistake in the headline. The article doesn’t say anything about Alzheimer’s.

It does mention that she can smell cancer and tuberculosis, however.

Re: Scientists discover the chemicals behind the unique Parkinson’s smell

#6

Post by gordaco »

This is exciting for two reasons. First, we could develop a measurable diagnosis based on this. Second, we can now search for the source of these chemicals and use them to better understand this illness, and that might lead to a cure.

I love when people use these small time superpowers for tho good of everyone.

Re: Scientists discover the chemicals behind the unique Parkinson’s smell

#7

Post by maxerickson »

pcl wrote: post #5
chrischen wrote: post #2

EDITED: She can also smell Alzheimer's, even before a person is about to develop it. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1107030/dementia...

EDIT: oops, missed the Alzheimer’s reference. Nonetheless, the title appears wrong, unless her husband had both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. --- I suspect that’s just a mistake in the headline. The article doesn’t say anything about Alzheimer’s. It does mention that she can smell cancer and tuberculosis, however.

She says Alzheimer’s smells like “vanilla, with a dark side” while tuberculosis smells “harsh”.

Re: Scientists discover the chemicals behind the unique Parkinson’s smell

#8

Post by maxerickson »

chrischen wrote: post #2

EDITED: She can also smell Alzheimer's, even before a person is about to develop it. https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1107030/dementia...

But her sensitivity to smell means she is unable to enter the cleaning products aisle in supermarkets. To most people, the plastic packaging has no odour; to Joy, it is so intense she starts to retch.

Is that even remotely true that people can't smell that aisle? I don't think I have an extraordinary sense of smell and I think of the smell of that aisle as "rank" or something like that.

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