Loss of Smell May Signal Early Alzheimer’s Changes, Study Suggests

In an interview with Katie Mather for the HuffPost, Dr. Dale Bredesen discussed new research suggesting that loss of smell may be one of the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, appearing years before memory symptoms.

The study, conducted by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, found that Alzheimer’s-related immune activity may damage nerve pathways linked to smell.

Dr. Bredesen noted that these findings support more routine smell testing as a simple, early screening tool. Because current treatments are most effective early on, identifying subtle changes, such as olfactory decline, could enable earlier intervention.

While not diagnostic on its own, loss of smell may offer another important signal in the move toward earlier detection and prevention of cognitive decline.

Full article here.