Smell test to predict dementia

Scientists hail new way to identify older folks at risk

A SIMPLE smell test has been shown to accurately predict a dementia diagnosis five years later.

The study of almost 3000 adults, aged 57 to 85, found those who could not identify five odours on “smell sticks” all had the disease.

Researchers found one per cent of participants could not identify any odours, two per cent could name one and five per cent could name two scents.

During follow-up checks five years later, 80 per cent of those who could identify one or two smells had dementia. They also had a dose-dependent relationship between degree of smell loss and incidence of dementia.

Professor Jayant Pinto, of Chicago University, said: “These results show the sense of smell is closely connected with brain function and health.

“We think smell ability may be an important early sign, marking people at greater risk for dementia.

“We need to understand the underlying mechanisms so we can develop new treatments and preventative interventions.

“Loss of the sense of smell is a strong signal that something has gone wrong.

“This test could provide a quick way to identify those who are already at high risk.”

Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “Scent cells feed into the brain and diseases like Alzheimer’s can start to damage the brain a decade before symptoms show.”