An early sign of Alzheimer’s can occur when showering: What should you look out for?

 

It is often thought that the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease are entirely related to memory: a forgotten name, a word on the tongue, or difficulty orienting yourself. However, a recent study points to a much more subtle—and unexpected—sign that may be detectable as soon as you shower. Yes, you read that right!

No longer recognizing the smell of soap: a signal that should not be ignored

Imagine: you open your usual shower gel, the one with the scent you’ve known for years, and suddenly... nothing. Or rather, a vague scent that is difficult to identify. This seemingly trivial detail may actually be one of the very first signs of cognitive decline, according to Professor Davangere Devanand, a psychiatrist and neurologist at Columbia University in New York.

Why? Because smelling is not just a matter of the nose: it is a brain function that is closely linked to memory . The brain areas that allow us to recognize odors are among the first to be affected in early forms of Alzheimer’s disease.

A simple but insightful test

In an eight-year study of more than 1,000 participants, researchers used an easily accessible smell test: they simply scraped off scent samples and identified common odors — such as soap, smoke, rose, or leather. The result? People who had difficulty naming these odors had a significantly higher risk of developing cognitive impairment later in life.

 

 

 

A value below 8 out of 12 was already considered a warning signal. Combined with a short memory test, this sensory test proved to be just as informative as some MRI examinations of the brain or much more complex biological analyses. A promising result.

A valuable clue for earlier detection

The advantage of this test? It is simple, non-invasive, inexpensive and can be performed in the doctor’s office without complex equipment. But above all, it offers the possibility of identifying people at risk before visible symptoms appear . This allows for earlier treatment and appropriate prevention strategies.

As Dr. Jeffrey Motter, co-author of the study, emphasizes that incorporating this type of screening into routine medical monitoring could fundamentally change the way we diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. This is a promising advance for patients... and their families.

Which smells should attract attention?

Here are the 12 odors used in the test to look out for if you experience persistent discomfort: