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Health

Pet dogs smell Parkinson's disease with almost 90 per cent accuracy

Pet dogs of various breeds have been trained to detect smells related to Parkinson's disease, potentially offering a new approach to diagnosing the condition

By David Cox

21 February 2024

Dogs that detect diseases such as covid-19 and malaria tend to be raised in expensive training centres, rather than living as pets

Bruno Rodrigues Baptista da Silva / Alamy

Pet dogs of various breeds can be trained to detect scents linked to Parkinson’s disease with nearly 90 per cent accuracy. With further research, this may be a relatively conclusive and inexpensive way of diagnosing the condition that enables earlier access to treatments.

People with Parkinson’s disease have hundreds of unique chemicals in their sebum, the oily substance that hydrates the skin. With the condition having…

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