Mayo Clinic Study Shows Smell Test Could Identify Parkinson's Disease

(Rochester, MN) -- Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are developing a smell test that could someday be a tool to screen for people at risk of getting Parkinson's disease. Mayo Clinic neurologist and lead author Doctor Erika Driver-Dunckley says the simple test will determine how well a patient smells. Right now there is no accurate diagnostic test for the disease. Diagnosis is based on medical history, a review of signs and symptoms, a neurological and physical examination and by ruling out other conditions. Confirmation of the disease can only be made by performing an autopsy.