The Nose Knows: Could Sense of Smell Predict Alzheimer's?

According to new research, your sense of smell might be a predictor of your likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

In two separate studies, researchers found that people who were unable to identify certain odors were more likely to experience cognitive impairment. They reasoned that brain cells that are tied to sense of smell are killed in the early ages of dementia.

The researchers hope that their findings could help develop a "smell test" for doctors to use in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Earlier detection can lead to interventions and treatment that could slow the disease's progression. Currently, doctors are able to diagnose Alzheimer's disease only after it has caused significant brain damage.

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