It is commonly assumed that the initial symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are simply memory-related: a forgotten name, a word on the tip of one’s tongue, or difficulties finding one’s bearings. However, a recent study has identified a much more subtle—and unexpected—sign that may be detectable just by taking a shower. Yes, you read it correctly!
No longer recognizing the smell of soap: a signal not to be ignored
Imagine this: You open your usual shower gel, the one with the aroma you’ve been using for years, and suddenly… nothing. Or, more accurately, a hazy, difficult-to-identify fragrance. This seemingly little detail could be one of the first symptoms of cognitive loss, according to Professor Davangere Devanand, a psychiatrist and neurologist at Columbia University in New York.
Why? Because smelling is a brain function that is intimately related to remembering. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease affects the parts of the brain that allow us to distinguish scents.
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