Joy Milne, a woman from Scotland, made an astonishing discovery—she could “smell” Parkinson’s disease on her husband, Les, more than a decade before he was diagnosed. While Parkinson’s is known for causing tremors, muscle stiffness, and slowed movement, there’s currently no definitive test for the condition. Diagnosis is still based on observing symptoms and clinical evaluations—until now.

It all began in 1982, when Joy Milne noticed a distinct, musky odor coming from her husband Les—just before his 32nd birthday. She couldn’t have known then that this subtle scent would hold the key to a groundbreaking medical discovery. Years later, when Les was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Joy realized she had smelled the same unusual scent on others with the condition. Her rare ability set scientists on a new path.

 

Working with researchers at the University of Manchester, Joy helped develop a revolutionary early detection method: a simple skin swab test. The test analyzes sebum—the natural oil our skin produces—which undergoes chemical changes in people with Parkinson’s. In lab trials, the test has proven to be 95% accurate and may soon be available in hospitals across the UK, offering hope for earlier diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.