What is the relationship between our sense of smell and Parkinson’s disease?
That is the question being investigated by Michigan State University researcher Honglei Chen.
Chen’s work was inspired by the established research suggesting that loss of sense of smell is an early marker for Parkinson’s disease. Apparently, over 90% of people with the disease have had issues with their sense of smell years before the onset of the disease.
Chen is trying to find out what exactly is the pathway by which our nerve cells stop working -is it inflammation caused possibly by air pollution?
Understanding this correlation is an important aspect of developing both treatment and prevention for this devastating neurological disorder.
For the full article in MSU Today by Sarina Gleason, please click here.
Questions for Discussion
- What is Chen’s research hypothesis?
- What percentage of people with Parkinson’s have issues with their sense of smell?
- Does the article say that a poor sense of smell is ONLY related to Parkinson’s?
- What is Chen’s research population?
- What role is it believed pollution plays in inflammation?
- How could Chen’s research be used to both prevent and treat this disease?
