An early sign of Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease that you shouldn’t ignore
This symptom could be an early biomarker for Alzheimer’s
- The loss of smell can occur years before the onset of symptoms for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
- This often underestimated symptom could serve as a vital early biomarker, enabling earlier diagnosis and potentially more effective treatments for these conditions.
- In Parkinson's disease, significant neuron damage happens before typical motor symptoms appear, highlighting the importance of early indicators such as smell loss.
- Research suggests that the damage-causing smell loss may originate in specific brain regions, such as the olfactory bulb or locus coeruleus, making it a “window into the brain”.
- Specific olfactory changes, including selective smell perception and hallucinations, are observed in Parkinson's patients, with some individuals even possessing the ability to detect a unique 'Parkinson's scent'.