A recent study has demonstrated that seniors who have an impaired sense of smell are at a higher risk of developing dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of cognitive disorders that impact a person’s ability to think, remember, communicate and perform daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.

The Study

The study, which was conducted by researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, followed almost 3,000 adults who were aged 57-85 years at the beginning of the study, for up to 13 years.

Researchers assessed participants’ sense of smell using a brief test called the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT). Participants were asked to identify 12 different odors.

After the follow-up period, researchers discovered that 22 percent of participants with poor sense of smell had developed dementia, compared to only 5 percent of those with normal sense of smell.

What is the Connection between Sense of Smell and Dementia?

Researchers suggest that the olfactory system, which is responsible for a person’s sense of smell, is closely related to the brain areas that are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

It is possible that an impaired sense of smell could be an early indication of damage to these brain areas and may predict a future risk of developing dementia.

Other Studies on the Relationship between Sense of Smell and Dementia

The study conducted by Harvard and Massachusetts General Hospital is not the only study to have linked sense of smell and dementia. A study conducted in 2018 by the University of Chicago found similar results.

In that study, researchers assessed olfactory function in more than 2,900 adults aged 57-85 years. The study found that participants with poor sense of smell had a higher risk of developing dementia over a period of five years.

What are the Other Risk Factors for Dementia?

Aside from impaired sense of smell, there are many other risk factors for dementia. Some of these include:.

Age
Genetics
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Smoking
Alcohol use
Poor diet
Lack of exercise
Head injury

Can Dementia be Prevented?

While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing the disease. These include:.

Quitting smoking
Maintaining a healthy diet
Exercising regularly
Limiting alcohol use
Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol
Preventing head injury

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection of dementia is important because it gives people the opportunity to plan for the future and make decisions about their care while they are still able to do so.

Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, difficulty communicating, poor judgement, and personality changes.

Conclusion

Seniors with impaired sense of smell are at a higher risk of developing dementia, according to recent studies conducted by Harvard and University of Chicago.

While there is currently no cure for dementia, there are things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing the disease, such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime, and managing high blood pressure and cholesterol. Early detection of dementia is important because it gives people the opportunity to plan for the future and make decisions about their care while they are still able to do so.