Loss of Smell: The Overlooked Early Warning Sign of Alzheimer’s

Memory loss is often the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about Alzheimer’s disease. And yet, it is not always the earliest warning sign. A German study suggests that one of our senses could help detect the condition long before the first obvious symptoms appear, and explains why this might be the case. The study, conducted by researchers at the DZNE and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, shows that certain brain immune cells, known as microglia, attack the nerve fibers linking the locus coeruleus – a region in the brainstem – to the olfactory bulb, which plays a key role in our sense of smell.