Sensory impairments (e.g., decreased function in hearing, vision, olfaction, and other senses) may be risk factors for or early markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD). Sensory impairments are common and have a large impact on wellbeing. Furthermore, they are clinically detectable and, often, treatable, and could be leveraged to identify and prevent AD/ADRD. This Supplement Issue brings together original research articles, reviews, and thought papers regarding the links between sensory impairments and cognitive health. Together, this work highlights the significant opportunities to use sensory information and remediation for earlier diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of dementia.
GadkareeSKSunDQLiC, et al.Does sensory function decline independently or concomitantly with age? Data from the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging. J Aging Res2016; 2016: 1865038.
2.
CorreiaCLopezKJWroblewskiKE, et al.Global sensory impairment in older adults in the United States. J Am Geriatr Soc2016; 64: 306–313.
3.
WhitsonHECronin-GolombACruickshanksKJ, et al.American Geriatrics society and national institute on aging bench-to-bedside conference: sensory impairment and cognitive decline in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc2018; 66: 2052–2058.
4.
LinFRAlbertM. Hearing loss and dementia – who’s listening?Aging Ment Health2014; 18: 671–673.
5.
WilsonRSArnoldSESchneiderJA, et al.The relationship between cerebral Alzheimer’s disease pathology and odour identification in old age. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry2007; 78: 30–35.
6.
AbrahamAGHongCDealJA, et al.Are cognitive researchers ignoring their senses? The problem of sensory deficit in cognitive aging research. J Am Geriatr Soc2023; 71: 1369–1377.
7.
LivingstonGHuntleyJLiuKY, et al.Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing commission. Lancet2024; 404: 572–628.
8.
LimkitisupasinPNilchaengPChokesuwattanaskulA, et al.Unveiling the potential of the digits-in-noise test as a hearing screening tool for older adults with cognitive impairment. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S6–S14.
9.
LeeJKimC-WKimY, et al.Environmental noise exposure and a new biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S15–S24.
10.
MertenNDawesPMunroKJ, et al.Hearing impairment and cognitive decline: alternative explanations to causality. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S25–S29.
11.
YoshidaYMichihataNTanitoM, et al.Association between open angle glaucoma and early onset Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S30–S37.
12.
HrehaKAshnerMCPeskoeS, et al.Prevalence of pre-stroke and stroke-related vision impairments and their association with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S38–S49.
13.
PianoMNguyenBConrickJ, et al.Breaking down barriers to accessing dementia-friendly eyecare. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S50–S67.
14.
SaakTMTervoJPMotterJN, et al.Expanding the scope of olfactory evaluation in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD): a narrative review of the role for odor memory and recognition in AD/ADRD. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S68–S82.
15.
Fortier-LebelOHudonÉBrosseS, et al.Characterizing olfaction, anxiety, and depression in subjective cognitive decline. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S83–S94.
16.
JobinBPhillipsNAFrasnelliJ, et al.The predictive role of olfactory identification on episodic memory and mild cognitive impairment: results from the CIMA-Q cohort. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S95–S104.
17.
ZhuYChenQChenF, et al.Functional connectivity signatures of olfactory networks linked to cognitive risk: a functional MRI study in subjective cognitive decline at risk for Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S105–S116.
18.
PanzaFLozuponeMRestaE, et al.Gustatory dysfunction and oral frailty: emerging implications for Alzheimer’s disease. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S117–S129.
19.
MyersCAZhangWNagarajanN, et al.Dual sensory loss and cognitive performance among older adults in India. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S130–S140.
20.
ArshadFPintoJMYaffeK, et al.Racial and ethnic differences in the associations of sensory impairments with cognition in older United States adults. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S141–S151.
21.
SmithJRWangXZhangW, et al.Summary population attributable fraction of dementia prevalence associated with sensory risk factors. J Alzheimers Dis2026; 110(S1): S152–S163.
