Smell Test Gauges Alzheimer's Risk

Researchers have developed a new non-invasive method to identify people at the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease on the basis of their ability to recognize and recall odors. The protocol testing the ability to recognize, remember and distinguish between odors was able to identify older individuals who – according to genetic, imaging and more detailed memory tests – were at increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. There is increasing evidence that the neurodegeneration behind Alzheimer’s disease starts at least 10 years before the onset of memory symptoms. The development of a digitally enabled, affordable, accessible and non-invasive means to identify healthy individuals at risk is a critical step to developing therapies that slow down or halt Alzheimer’s disease progression. The battery of four tests developed by the MGH team addresses both olfactory and cognitive functions – and involves participants being presented with different smells for two seconds each, and then asked to choose from a group of words, one that best describes each odour. The study recruited 183 participants, most of who were enrolled in ongoing studies at the MGH-based Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre.