Losing Sense of Smell Can Be an Early Sign of Dementia as Well as Coronavirus

Scientists suggest that the loss of the ability to sense smells, which has come to be associated with COVID-19, also could signal early dementia, reports the Mirror . "Our sense of smell is directly connected to the parts of our brain ­associated with memory and emotion," said Professor Nancy Rawson at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. "Odors activate receptors in the ­olfactory bulb, a structure near the bridge of the nose, which is only two connections away from the hippocampus and the amygdala — the learning and memory parts of the brain." In a study of 3,000 adults 57 to 80 years old, 80 percent of those who could not identify at least two of five distinct smells — peppermint, fish, orange, rose, and leather — received a dementia diagnosis within five years. "Loss of the sense of smell is a strong signal that something has gone wrong and significant damage has been done to the brain," warned University of Chicago Professor Jayant Pinto. "A simple smell test could provide a quick and inexpensive way to identify those who are at high risk."