Saliva provides information about possible heart failure.
Alzheimer’s, meanwhile, is often diagnosed through an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid after changes in cognitive capabilities. But loss of smell can be an initial warning sign.
Enter an American research team and its new nasal swab aimed at early detection. In a 22-person study, different immune and nerve cells were removed from the nasal cavity using a small brush.
The team demonstrated the early onset of the disease with 81% accuracy due to the presence of inflamed olfactory nerve cells or molecular changes in T-cells. In future, the simple-to-administer biopsy could enable timely treatment.
A Finnish team is on the hunt for natural Alzheimer’s remedies. Wasabi and music are also memory aids.
