People diagnosed with memory related disorders such as Alzheimer’s or dementia  suffer from several different symptoms. A loss of smell now suggests the potential for Alzheimer’s disease.  An olfactory test is now said to be a new and economical option to identifying an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

A recent study published by the Journal of Neuroscience suggests a link between the loss of smell and memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  It is said that the formation of what is called amyloid plaques and neurofibirillary tangles in the brain lead to memory loss. Simply put it is protein that builds up on the brain affecting the memory and eventual ability to function.

In the past 25 years there has been a heavy focus by researchers to better understand, treat and eventually prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s It is a term to describe the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities. It can take many forms and has various developmental stages.  Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 70% of those diagnosed with memory loss.  It has no cure but does have treatments for symptoms. It is progressive and eventually fatal.  Currently Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the country.

According to research the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease occur early in life.  The ability to look at a dysfunction in smell is one more method that can help researchers detects memory loss well before the other typical symptoms may occur. 

The established indicators of memory loss include:

• Disruption in daily routines due to forgetfulness
• Inability to solve problems, concentrate or forgetting routine tasks.
• Confusion with time, place, dates or distance
• Trouble with decision making or judgment.
• Withdrawal from family, friends and social activities.
• Changes in mood or irritability

This new study that suggests a link between loss of smell and eventual memory loss was conducted on mice.  The mice who had developed protein accumulation in their brains exhibited the brain degeneration similar to that of Alzheimer’s patients. These same protein buildups were present in those mice that showed an inability to recognize smells, again mirroring that of Alzheimer’s patients.  This study showed a strong link between loss of smell and the eventual onset of Alzheimer’s disease. 

These new findings suggest a strong link between loss of smell and the potential for Alzheimer’s disease this study is one more step towards continued research and early detection of the disease.  As with most degenerative diseases detection and the additional methods that can be used to test for symptoms is one more step towards a cure.