Researchers from the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with the Oxford Humanities Research Center, have uncovered a strong link between loss of smell and inflammation in 139 surprising medical conditions. The study, led by Professor Emeritus Michael Leung and researchers Cynthia Wu and Emily Troscianko, explores a little-known but potentially life-changing relationship: in maintaining physical and mental health. It emphasizes the role played by the sense of smell.
The study was published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience.
Anosmia is often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, but as this study shows, it can actually be an early sign of a variety of neurological and physical illnesses.
This data is particularly interesting because it was previously discovered that enhancing the sense of smell improved memory by 226 percent in older adults. We now know that pleasant scents reduce inflammation, which may point to a mechanism by which such scents improve brain health. ”
Michael Leon, Professor Emeritus, University of California, Irvine
The discovery could also have important implications for alleviating symptoms and possibly reducing the onset of certain diseases through therapeutic olfactory stimulation, he added.
This study systematically tracks 139 pathologies associated with both olfactory loss and hyperinflammation, revealing insights into common pathways linking these factors. Loss of smell often precedes symptoms such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, and can serve as an early indicator of the onset of the disease, potentially allowing for more aggressive treatment approaches.
“It’s been difficult to keep track of research on so many conditions,” Leon said, reflecting on the complexity of linking anosmia to such a wide range of disorders. This challenge highlights the importance of these findings in positioning olfactory health as essential to overall well-being, he added.
By showing how enhanced olfactory senses can reduce inflammation, this study lays the foundation for future research aimed at exploring the therapeutic use of scent to address a wider range of medical conditions. I did. “It will be interesting to see if enhancing the sense of smell can improve the symptoms of other medical conditions,” Leon said.
Leong is currently working with Wu to develop a device that provides olfactory therapy, which holds promise as a novel, non-invasive way to improve health conditions.
As science continues to uncover the profound impact our senses have on our health, this study highlights the critical need for further research into olfactory therapy.
sauce:
University of California, Irvine
References:
Leon, M., et al. (2024) Inflammation and loss of smell are associated with at least 139 medical conditions. Frontiers of molecular neuroscience. doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2024.1455418
