AI‑Enhanced Earwax Analysis for Parkinson’s Detection
New research from Zhejiang University shows that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in earwax could serve as reliable biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease.
🧪 Study Outline
- Swabs collected from 209 individuals (108 diagnosed with Parkinson’s, 101 controls).
- Analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and surface‑acoustic‑wave sensors.
- Identified four key VOCs—ethylbenzene, 4‑ethyltoluene, pentanal, 2‑pentadecyl‑1,3‑dioxolane.
👍 Key Results
An AI‑powered olfactory system achieved 94–94.4% accuracy and AUC ~0.98 in distinguishing Parkinson’s individuals.
🌍 Significance
This is a noninvasive, low‑cost method, ideal for early screening. Earwax is more stable than skin sebum, making it reliable for testing.
📈 Next Steps
Further validation across multiple centers and demographics is required before clinical deployment.