Smelling a test for Alzheimer146;s

Devanand has been testing the predictive value of a 40-item smell test developed by Richard Doty of the University of Pennsylvania.

In the latest study, 150 patients ranging in age from 43 to 85 with memory problems and 63 healthy volunteers were asked to identify odors on a scratch card 8212;8212; one card for each smell. They were given a choice of answers. Most normal people score between 35 and 40. People in the earliest stages of Alzheimer8217;s, before cognitive difficulty renders them unable to understand the exercise, score in the 20s.

Many of the participants arrived at Columbia8217;s Memory Disorders Center complaining of problems. In follow-ups over nine years many were diagnosed with Alzheimer8217;s. Those who scored in the low 20s were at high risk for Alzheimer8217;s.

Inability to identify smoke best predicted Alzheimer8217;s. The others smells were menthol, leather, lilac, pineapple, soap, strawberry, natural gas, lemon and clove. 8212;LAT-WP