Sense of Smell as Alzheimer's Predictor

Inability to identify certain smells predicts development of Alzheimer's disease
It's fascinating research: when a patient is unable to identify ten selected smells (lemons, leather, etc.), it indicates they are headed straight for Alzheimer's disease.
This demonstrates just how closely the olfactory senses are tied to overall nervous system function. It's also one reason why I believe that the long-term use of fragrance chemicals found in laundry detergents, soaps, shampoos and personal care products actually promotes Alzheimer's disease: because it dulls the senses and clouds the mind. If you find this article interesting, be sure to also read 'Popular Alzheimer's Drug Found to Be All But Worthless in Independent Study.'
Overview:
The inability to identify the smell of lemons, lilac, leather and seven other odors predicts which patients with minimal to mild cognitive impairment (MMCI) will develop Alzheimer's Disease, according to a study presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting.
For patients with MMCI, the odor identification test was found to be a strong predictor of Alzheimer's Disease during follow-up, and compared favorably with reduction in brain volumes on MRI scan and memory test performance as potential predictors.
"Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease is critical for patients and their families to receive the most beneficial treatment and medications," says lead researcher D.P. Devanand, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Neurology at Columbia University and Co-Director of the Memory Disorders Center at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Smell identification test results from Alzheimer's disease patients, MMCI patients and healthy elderly subjects were analyzed to select an optimal subset of fragrances that distinguished Alzheimer's and MMCI patients who developed the disease from healthy subjects and MMCI patients who did not develop Alzheimer's.
An estimated 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease, a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory.
ACNP, founded in 1961, is a professional organization of more than 700 leading scientists, including four Nobel Laureates.
The mission of ACNP is to further research and education in neuropsychopharmacology and related fields in the following ways: promoting the interaction of a broad range of scientific disciplines of brain and behavior in order to advance the understanding of prevention and treatment of disease of the nervous system including psychiatric, neurological, behavioral and addictive disorders; encouraging scientists to enter research careers in fields related to these disorders and their treatment; and ensuring the dissemination of relevant scientific advances.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-12/g-sfl121004.php