01 August 2023 , 08:23
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An estimated 850,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, a collections of symptoms that result from damage to the brain caused by different diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. The condition, which often causes memory loss and language difficulty, can have a devastating impact on people, their family and friends.
Although there is currently no cure for dementia, diagnosing the condition early enables people to live as well as possible thanks to medicines, treatment and care given by professionals. Therefore it's important to not only look out for the most well-known symptoms, but also ones that are less obvious.
You could pick up on a little-known symptom while you're eating breakfast (stock image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)One early and important sign of Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia worldwide, is anosmia (smell loss) or hyposmia (reduced smell). These can present themselves before other symptoms begin. While symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be more obvious as time progresses, early detection could be important in slowing the disease down.
Research, led by the National Institute of Ageing in the US and published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, found that the decline in sense of smell is connected to the faster buildup of Alzheimer's related pathology seen in brain scans. The study found that people in their 70s who were unable to identify smells from items such as roses, lemons and onions were significantly likely to develop dementia over the next decade than those who recognised the smells.
Willa Brenowitch, the study's lead author and neuroscientist at UCSF, said in a statement: "The olfactory bulb, which is critical for smell, is affected fairly early on in the course of the disease. It's thought that smell may be a preclinical indicator of dementia, while hearing and vision may have more of a role in promoting dementia."
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Scientists at the University of Warwick are also working on a groundbreaking smell and taste test which can be used to identify those who have Alzheimer's disease before memory loss kicks in. They are aiming to develop a machine that will create flavours and smells accurately, and participants will be asked to describe them.
However, before this test is developed, the best thing to do is to be aware of any changes to smell and taste. This can for example be done while you or your loved one is eating their morning breakfast or dinner.
According to the NHS, sensory changes such as loss of smell or taste can be caused by many things - from a cold or flu to allergies or sinusitis. However, if your sense of smell does not go back to normal in a few weeks, you should speak to your GP.