WASHINGTON (Dispatches) -- Researchers have discovered that a rapid decline of our olfactory sense is demonstrative of changes in regions of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Scientists at the University of Chicago Medicine report that a rapid loss in a person’s sense of smell during a period of normal cognition fortells multiple features of Alzheimer’s disease, including smaller gray matter volume in the areas of the brain related to smell and memory, worse cognition and higher risk of dementia in these older adults. In fact, the risk of sense of smell loss was similar to carrying the APOE-e4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s.
The changes are most noticeable in the primary olfactory regions, including the amygdala and entorhinal cortex, which is a major input to the hippocampus, a critical site in Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s estimated more than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, which is characterized by memory loss and other symptoms, such as mood changes and trouble completing everyday tasks. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but some medications can temporarily slow its symptoms.
Smell tests are an inexpensive, easy-to-use tool that consists of a series of sticks that are similar in appearance to felt-tip pens. Each stick is infused with a distinct scent that individuals must identify from a set of four choices.