ASSOCIATION BETWEEN OLFACTORY DYSFUNCTION AND NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE PROGRESSION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
by Yumiko Baba
Category: Biology
Abstract – Although neurodegenerative diseases (ND) such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been affecting millions of people every year, their diagnosis and treatment are still ineffective, and the research progress is relatively static. Studies in the past few decades have revealed the potential of olfactory dysfunction (OD) to be used as a predictive quality of ND progression; however, in-depth research is required to confirm this correlation. Thus, this systematic review aimed to show the relationship between OD and two NDs: AD and PD. A total of 19 papers, 15 for PD and 4 for AD, were selected. The review revealed a high possibility of AD and PD patients having OD; low UPSIT scores and volume reduction (VR) of brain structures related to OD, AD, or PD were observed.