嗅觉功能障碍与阿尔茨海默病认知损害的关联机制及相关干预研究进展

Research advances on the mechanisms linking olfactory dysfunction to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease and related interventions

  • 摘要: 嗅觉功能障碍是阿尔茨海默病(AD)临床前期和早期常见的感觉异常,与记忆、执行功能及总体认知水平下降密切相关,其出现可早于明显认知症状。嗅觉系统经嗅球、梨状皮层、内嗅皮层、海马及眶额叶皮层与记忆和情绪网络紧密相连。研究表明,β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)沉积和tau蛋白病理可早期累及嗅觉-内侧颞叶网络,并与神经递质失衡、突触可塑性下降、相关脑区萎缩及功能连接异常共同作用,导致嗅觉识别、嗅觉记忆与认知功能下降。芳香疗法、针刺及艾灸等嗅觉相关干预手段,可能通过增强嗅觉输入、调节嗅觉-认知网络,以及协同改善神经炎症、氧化应激、病理蛋白代谢和突触功能等途径,发挥认知保护作用。本文围绕嗅觉功能障碍与AD认知损害的关联机制,并归纳上述干预策略的研究进展,旨在进一步认识嗅觉异常在AD认知损害中的作用,为AD的早期识别与临床防治提供新思路。

     

    Abstract: Olfactory dysfunction is a common sensory abnormality in the preclinical and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and is closely associated with declines in memory, executive function, overall cognitive performance, and it may appear before overt cognitive symptoms. The olfactory system is closely interconnected with memory and emotional networks via the olfactory bulb, piriform cortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and orbitofrontal cortex. Studies have shown that β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition and tau pathology can affect the olfactory-medial temporal lobe network at an early stage. These pathologies interact with neurotransmitter imbalances, reduced synaptic plasticity, atrophy in relevant brain regions, and abnormalities in functional connectivity, leading to declines in olfactory discrimination, olfactory memory, and cognitive function. Olfactory-related interventions, such as aromatherapy, acupuncture, and moxibustion, may exert a neuroprotective effect by enhancing olfactory input, modulating the olfactory-cognitive network, and synergistically improving neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, pathological protein metabolism, and synaptic function. This article focuses on the mechanisms linking olfactory dysfunction to cognitive impairment in AD and summarizes research progress on the aforementioned intervention strategies. It aims to further elucidate the role of olfactory abnormalities in AD-related cognitive impairment and provide new insights for the early identification and clinical prevention and treatment of AD.

     

/

返回文章
返回