Why Smell May Be the First Sense Lost in Dementia

Imagine waking up one morning and realizing you can’t smell your morning coffee. For most people, this might just seem like a bad cold or a stuffy nose. But for some, especially as they get older, losing the sense of smell could be an early warning sign of something much bigger—like dementia.

Our sense of smell is closely tied to our brain’s health. The part of the brain that processes smells is one of the first areas affected by diseases like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. That’s why changes in how well someone can detect or identify odors often happen before memory problems become obvious.

Scientists have found that when older adults start having trouble with their sense of smell, it can signal a higher risk for developing dementia later on. In fact, studies show that each mistake made on a simple smell test increases the chance not only for cognitive decline but also for other serious health issues as people age.

Why does this happen? The nerves responsible for sending scent signals from your nose to your brain are directly connected to regions involved in memory and thinking. When these areas begin to break down due to disease, smelling becomes harder—sometimes even before you notice any trouble remembering names or events.

This connection between smell loss and dementia is so strong that some experts now suggest adding regular smell tests during routine check-ups for older adults. These tests are easy and non-invasive—just like checking vision or hearing—but they could help catch early signs of trouble long before more noticeable symptoms appear.

For many people living with dementia, changes in their ability to recognize familiar scents were among their very first clues that something was wrong. Some even experience unusual smells or olfactory hallucinations before getting an official diagnosis.

So while losing your sense of smell doesn’t always mean you will develop dementia, it is often one of the earliest senses affected when something isn’t right inside the brain. Paying attention to these subtle changes could help doctors spot problems sooner and give families more time to plan ahead and seek support if needed.

The next time you stop to enjoy the scent of fresh flowers or baking bread, remember: your nose might be telling you more about your brain than you think!