Impaired Identification of Specific Odors and Cognition in Older Adults

Impaired odor identification is a well-replicated biomarker of Alzheimer disease (AD).1,2 Of 30 published studies, all showed odor identification deficits in AD compared with healthy control subjects.3 These deficits are known to predict the transition to a clinical diagnosis of AD and also to predict cognitive decline in cognitively intact older adults.1 In autopsy studies neurofibrillary tangles, and to a lesser extent amyloid plaques, are seen in the olfactory bulb in the early stages of the disease process.
Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Invited Perspective Source Type: research