Early Alzheimer's detection could be as simple as noticing one thing during your shower

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in older adults, gradually eroding memory and cognitive abilities.

The most common indicators of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and struggles with daily tasks. However, Alzheimer's specialists have identified a potential early sign of dementia that could transform the speed at which the condition is diagnosed.

While there's no known cure at present, an early diagnosis can help healthcare professionals slow its progression and mitigate its impact.

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Memory loss is often associated with dementia; however, experts from the University of Chicago have identified a significant decrease in the sense of smell as a potential early sign. This finding suggests that individuals might be able to detect Alzheimer's disease in its early stages, especially when they notice a diminished ability to recognise familiar smells during activities like showering.

The study is based on the link between odour recognition and memory. The researchers examined the olfactory function of 515 older adults, aiming to develop screening tests for the sense of smell similar to those used for vision and hearing evaluations, reports Surrey Live.

Such tests could encourage people to look out for early warning signs, such as not being able to smell their shampoo or shower gel as strongly while bathing.

Jayant M Pinto, a surgery professor at the University of Chicago and an expert in olfactory and sinus disease, noted the importance of their discovery: "This study provides another clue to how a rapid decline in the sense of smell is a really good indicator of what's going to end up structurally occurring in specific regions of the brain.

"We were able to show that the volume and shape of grey matter in olfactory and memory-associated areas of the brains of people with rapid decline in their sense of smell were smaller compared to people who had less severe olfactory decline."

If you're concerned about your memory or think you might have dementia, it's advisable to consult your GP. If you're worried about someone else's symptoms, encourage them to make an appointment with a GP and perhaps suggest going with them.

An early diagnosis of dementia can pave the way for future care and treatment, and recognising symptoms is crucial for this. There's currently no cure for dementia, but early medical intervention and advice can help manage the condition better.

HSE symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

According to the HSE, the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease progress over several years. How quickly the symptoms progress is different in each person.

In the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory lapses. For example, if you have early Alzheimer's disease you may:

• forget about recent conversations or events
• misplace items
• forget the names of places and objects
• have trouble thinking of the right word
• repeat questions
• show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
• become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things

There are often signs of mood changes, such as:

• increasing anxiety
• increasing agitation
• less interest in events and hobbies