10 Early Signs of Alzheimer’s — Page 2

Poor sense of smell

Dozens of ailments and medications could interfere with smell, including the beginnings of dementia. The most common test is called “UPSIT,” although good tests for sense of smell are not yet available and their value is limited.

When volunteers in their 60s and 70s take the test, low scores can predict who is most likely to suffer mental decline in the next several years. In another test, having more trouble smelling peanut butter with your left nostril than your right turned out to predict future Alzheimer’s.

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