Hanyang Med Rev.  2014 Aug;34(3):116-119. 10.7599/hmr.2014.34.3.116.

Olfaction and Neurodegenerative Disease

• Kim HY

• KMID: 2284351
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7599/hmr.2014.34.3.116

Abstract

Olfactory dysfunction is an early and common symptom of many neurodegenerative diseases, particularly of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and mild cognitive impairment that heralds progression to dementia. Olfactory impairment is known to be related to several pathologic changes including the deposition of alpha-synuclein, hyperphosphorylated tau protein, neurofilament protein, Lewy bodies and neuritis inducing a complex cascade of molecular processes such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cytosolic disruption of cellular processes leading to cell death. The areas mainly showing these pathologic changes are the olfactory epithelium, olfactory bulb and tract, primary olfactory cortices, and their secondary target areas. Since early loss of olfactory function is common among several common neurodegenerative disorders, recent investigations have focused on its utility as a biomarker for early diagnosis and progression. Olfactory impairment appears to be an important sign for early detection, a useful biomarker for disease progression and a useful differentiator between neurological disorders.

Keyword

Olfaction; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Biological Markers

MeSH Terms

alpha-Synuclein
Alzheimer Disease
Cell Death
Cytosol
Dementia
Disease Progression
Early Diagnosis
Lewy Bodies
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Nervous System Diseases
Neuritis
Neurodegenerative Diseases*
Olfactory Bulb
Olfactory Mucosa
Oxidative Stress
Parkinson Disease
Smell*
tau Proteins
Biomarkers
alpha-Synuclein
tau Proteins

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