According to startling new research, which was presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto back in July of 2016, a decreased ability to identify smells could be an early indicator of cognitive impairment and dementia.
This loss of sense can affect people’s well-being, lifestyle, nutrition and mental health, states Independent. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
“Risk factor research is just as important as treatment development…first detection and then prevention,” Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Study of Aging at the Mayo Clinic, tells Newsweek.
One of the studies, conducted by researchers from Columbia University Medical Center, used the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) to test the sense of smell in 397 older people without dementia. In addition to this, they took brain scans and looked for thinning of the entorhinal cortex. This part of the brain is associated with memory and is affected early on by Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Society reports that during this four-year follow-up period, 50 participants did indeed develop dementia. This study was able to conclude that impaired sense of smell and thinning of the entorhinal cortex were both greatly linked to developing dementia. Additionally, a decrease in sense of smell was linked to cognitive decline.
Another study conducted by Columbia University Medical Center sought to determine the best indicator of cognitive decline by comparing two different methods — the UPSIT method and the spinal fluid analysis, which determines the level of amyloid protein in the brain (a known indicator of Alzheimer’s). Both methods were used on 84 people. Follow-ups within two or four years showed that 67 percent of participants showed signs of memory decline. The result of the study was that amyloid protein is the best indicator of cognitive decline, however, “those with an impaired sense of smell were three times more likely to have memory problems”.
Dr. Doug Brown, Director of Research and Development at Alzheimer’s Society, had this to say:
“These studies add to growing evidence that sense of smell can be affected in the early stages of dementia. However, there are many reasons why people might lose their sense of smell–the natural ageing process, some medications, and more than 60 medical conditions can all affect someone’s ability to sniff out certain smells…Most people experience some sensory loss as they age, so anyone with an impaired sense of smell shouldn’t be immediately worried about dementia, but if you have noticed changes to your sense of smell at any age, it’s advisable to speak to your GP.”
According to the Financial Review, a more recent and long-term US study (conducted by the University of Chicago Medical Center) involved almost 3,000 adult participants aged 57 to 85. These participants would smell “sniffing sticks” loaded with different scents in order to try and identify each one. Anyone who had a “normal” sense of smell could identify “at least four out of five common odors.” Those who failed the test were “more than twice as likely to develop dementia five years later,” quite a huge leap.
As the results five years later also showed, “almost every participant who was unable to name any of the smells had been diagnosed with dementia.” Additionally, it is worth noting that “nearly 80 percent of those who provided only one or two correct answers had developed the condition.”
“These results show that the sense of smell is closely connected with brain function and health,” confirmed lead scientist Professor Jayant Pinto from the University of Chicago, that the two are directly linked.
It is safe to say that if your family has a history of dementia, this is a sign to be aware of. This simple test can help to identify those at risk for the disease.
“Much more work would need to be done to make it a clinical test,” stipulates lead author Jayant M. Pinto. “But it could help find people who are at risk. Then we could enroll them in early-stage prevention trials.”
Being aware of the indicators of Alzheimer’s, and then paying close attention to your loved one, is the best way to keep vigilant.
Featured image via Pixabay
