"Loss of Smell: An Early Warning Sign of Alzheimer's, Study Finds"
A new study suggests that a loss of smell could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that individuals with the APOE e4 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's, were more likely to experience a diminished sense of smell and cognitive decline. Testing a person's ability to detect odors may be a useful way to predict future problems with cognition. Loss of smell has been linked to inflammation in the brain, which is connected to cognitive decline. This study highlights the potential of using smell tests to identify individuals at risk for dementia early in the disease.
