Studies Who no longer smells peppermint, could be suffering from dementia

There is a connection between the sense of smell and dementia disorders

Dementia can lead to various negative effects. Mental confusion, insomnia and mood swings are just a few examples. There also seems to be a connection between the sense of smell and the development of dementia. Researchers have now found that if humans are unable to smell peppermint, it may indicate dementia.

Researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center found in their study that there is a link between dementia and the inability to perceive peppermint odor. The experts published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of the American Geriatrics Society".

Many people know peppermint only from their tea. Researchers noted that the inability to smell peppermint may indicate that people are at an increased risk for dementia. (Image: womue / fotolia.com)

Physicians examine 3,000 subjects

The results show how the sense of smell can affect memory loss in dementia, the researchers say. For their study, the physicians examined 3,000 people aged 57 years to the age of 75 years. The scientists wanted to see how the subjects can smell different scents and whether there are differences between healthy participants and people with dementia. The subjects had to try to smell and identify five different fragrances: peppermint, fish, orange, rose and leather.

How did the results turn out??

The results of the study were quite clear. About 78 percent of the participants were able to name at least four out of five fragrances correctly. 14 percent of the subjects were able to recognize only three out of five fragrances. Five percent could name only two fragrances and two percent could identify only one of the fragrances. However, there was also one percent of all participants who could not detect any of the fragrances.

Problems with the sense of smell indicate dementia

After a period of five years, the researchers found that there seems to be a connection between the inability to detect fragrances and the development of dementia. Almost all of the subjects who could not perceive any of the scents suffered from dementia. In addition, nearly 80 percent of participants had dementia if they could smell only one or two of the scents.

The sense of smell is closely linked to the brain function of humans

The results of the study show that the sense of smell is closely related to brain function and health, explains the author. Jayant M. Pinto. Changes in the sense of smell and also changes in sensory functions can be an important early sign of an increased risk of dementia, reports the expert.

Odor testing does not always have to be a telltale predicator of dementia

Despite the findings, scientists pointed out that people may lose their sense of smell for other reasons as well. Thus, an odor test must not necessarily be a telltale predicator of dementia, explain the doctors. Nevertheless, the findings of the study could help to identify people with an increased risk of developing dementia in the future.

Improved prevention possible?

The results of such a test may indicate which people are at an increased risk of developing dementia, Dr. Pinto. However, further research is now needed to develop a clinical test that can detect dementia reliably and early. Here, the findings of the current study could help to identify people at risk faster in the future, the researchers concluded. (As)