"Smell Loss: A Potential Early Indicator of Brain Diseases"
Loss of smell, known as hyposmia, has emerged as an early indicator of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are exploring the use of smell tests as a diagnostic tool for these diseases, as well as Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and mild cognitive impairment. The sense of smell is closely connected to brain health, as the olfactory bulb at the base of the brain is the first sensory structure that comes into contact with sensory stimuli and environmental pathogens. Smell dysfunction is also associated with certain psychiatric diseases. Additionally, smell is a marker of overall health and mortality risk.
