Olfactory Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Concepció Marin - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Author)
  • Dolores Vilas - , Generalitat de Catalunya (Author)
  • Cristóbal Langdon - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona (Author)
  • Isam Alobid - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)
  • Mauricio López-Chacón - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona (Author)
  • Antje Haehner - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Joaquim Mullol - , August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, University of Barcelona, CIBER - Center for Biomedical Research Network (Author)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: The sense of smell is today one of the focuses of interest in aging and neurodegenerative disease research. In several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, the olfactory dysfunction is one of the initial symptoms appearing years before motor symptoms and cognitive decline, being considered a clinical marker of these diseases’ early stages and a marker of disease progression and cognitive decline. Overall and under the umbrella of precision medicine, attention to olfactory function may help to improve chances of success for neuroprotective and disease-modifying therapeutic strategies. Recent Findings: The use of olfaction, as clinical marker for neurodegenerative diseases is helpful in the characterization of prodromal stages of these diseases, early diagnostic strategies, differential diagnosis, and potentially prediction of treatment success. Understanding the mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction is central to determine its association with neurodegenerative disorders. Several anatomical systems and environmental factors may underlie or contribute to olfactory loss associated with neurological diseases, although the direct biological link to each disorder remains unclear and, thus, requires further investigation. Summary: In this review, we describe the neurobiology of olfaction, and the most common olfactory function measurements in neurodegenerative diseases. We also highlight the evidence for the presence of olfactory dysfunction in several neurodegenerative diseases, its value as a clinical marker for early stages of the diseases when combined with other clinical, biological, and neuroimage markers, and its role as a useful symptom for the differential diagnosis and follow-up of disease. The neuropathological correlations and the changes in neurotransmitter systems related with olfactory dysfunction in the neurodegenerative diseases are also described.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number42
JournalCurrent allergy and asthma reports
Volume18
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29904888
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/152545950
ORCID /0000-0003-1311-8000/work/158767592

Keywords

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease, clinical marker, dopamine, neurodegeneration, Olfaction, olfactory bulbs, Parkinson’s disease