In China, doctors have identified several volatile compounds in the ceromen of Parkinson’s disease. In order to achieve this, researchers associated artificial intelligence with chemical analysis, a new method potentially capable of revolutionizing neurological screening.
New markers of Parkinson’s disease
As a reminder, ceromen is a substance present in the ear, coming from the glands of the external auditory duct. Its role is not negligible since the latter promotes the protection, cleaning and lubrication of the ear. Unfortunately, this “ear wax” does not have a good press with many people, since judged unsightly despite its positive role.
What if hellish suddenly becomes very important in medicine? In China, the question has all made its meaning since the publication of a study in the review Analytical Chemistry on May 28, 2025. According to the team of medical school at the University of Zhejiang at the origin of this work, Cerumen contains reliable chemical clues relating to Parkinson’s disease. However, this discovery could upset the current screening methods (e.g. neurological tests), often very long and very expensive.
As part of the study, the ceromen of 209 people Рincluding 108 affected by Parkinson Рhas been the subject of analyzes. Experts discovered four volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sick people: ethylbenzene, 4-ethyltol̬ne, Pentanal and 2-Pentadecyl-1,3-Dioxolane. However, it would be here of
new disease markers.
Crédits : Gorodenkoff / iStock
Promising research to refine
The data obtained from volunteers made it possible to cause an AI capable of identifying this type of VOC. According to study authors, the system would be able to detect Parkinson cases with a success rate of 94%. From now on, medicine can nourish the hope of a near future where screening for this type of disease would become both faster, cheaper and therefore easier to access.
“The system could be used as a first -line screening tool for detecting Parkinson’s disease and should open the way for early medical intervention, thus improving patient care. »»can we read in a press release.
Usually considered to be a kind of waste from the organization, ceromen has the possibility of suddenly changing status. By becoming a Biomedical information sourcethe substance should be much more appreciated. On the other hand, doctors did not hesitate to recall that their experience only exists at the scale of a single establishment and only in China. In other words, Other tests should see the light of day in order to fully confirm the technique. These upcoming works should integrate more participants, concern different ethnic groups but also, do at several stages of the disease.
