Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated an association between abnormalities in the sense of smell and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In our laboratory we have shown that olfactory dysfunction is accompanied by histopathological changes in the olfactory epithelium. These findings led us to believe that there were changes in the olfactory epithelium in AD that resulted in altered olfactory function. In the present study we have done biopsies of tissue from 12 patients who have been screened thoroughly and diagnosed with probable AD. Olfactory epithelium from 10 of these patients has been examined at the electron microscopic level. The overall appearance of the epithelium is altered from that seen in normosmic, age-matched controls. The ultrastructural appearance of olfactory receptor cells and support cells is disrupted. In addition, a crystallinelike material has been observed over the surface of the olfactory epithelium in six patients. This material was not observed in the respiratory epithelium of the same patients and has not been seen by us in any other pathological or normal tissues we have examined. The overall appearance of the olfactory epithelium in these probable AD patients seems to be unique when compared with other pathological states examined so far. The present study suggests that olfactory epithelium biopsy may be useful in the early detection of AD.
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