In his presentation at the Parkinson's Disease Foundation's 50th Anniversary Educational Symposium, Matthew Stern, M.D. pointed out various tests that may help identify Parkinson's disease before other symptoms exist. He explained that the part of the brain responsible for smell is rich in dopamine. Loss of smell often happens early in Parkinson's disease. He and his colleagues developed the widely used University of Pennsylvania smell test for PD.
If you are concerned that one of your family members may be at risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a movement disorders specialist can tell you where to find the smell or other genetic tests. If a person is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease before exhibiting symptoms, a treatment may be able to slow the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Source:
Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 50th Anniversary Educational Symposium
