Impaired Olfactory Function: Loss of Smell and Insight Into Neurodegenerative Disorders
Date
Authors
Prasad, Jigisha Anushka
Supervisor
Pederson, Mangor
Item type
Dissertation
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Auckland University of Technology
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the possible association between olfactory function (‘sense of smell’) impairment in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease, through a systematic review of relevant medical academia. Findings were overall consistent among research articles, and suggest that early stages neurodegenerative diseases could be identified through a poor sense of smell, which was simultaneously linked to lower volumes of the olfactory bulb. Implications suggest that inexpensive and noninvasive olfactory function assessments would be excellent biomarkers to aid in clinical diagnosis.Description
Keywords
Human olfactory system; Olfaction; Olfactory receptor neurons; Olfactory assessment; Smell; Tau; Neurofibrillary tangles; Odour identification; Temporal information; Alzheimer's disease; Parkinson’s disease; neurodegenerative disorders