Creating Memories Through Sense Of Smell For Dementiaaminata Sillahem ✓ Solved

Creating Memories through Sense of Smell for Dementia Aminata Sillah [email protected] March 4, 2021 Introduction Memories are sparked by everything we smell. Memories are created from our childhood, teenage years and adulthood. Researchers are figuring out that “sniffing out,†close relations between losing the sense of smell and the parallel of memory loss related with dementia (Intriago, 2016). Sense of smell is recognized as olfactory sense. Olfactory memory is the remembrance of smells.

Olfactory memory is a simple operation of the brain; however, its role is complex in both conscious and subconscious memory (Intriago, 2016). The other senses pass through a different brain region before being operated. Sense of smell, olfactory cortex is looped right to the amygdala and hippocampus – major key to the limbic system (Intriago, 2016). The things we smelled throughout the years stays with us. Those smells become part of our emotional memories and can recover through the form of emotional acknowledgments.

Certain scents bring back long- term memories through emotional response which will be a great treatment impact on dementia including Alzheimer's disease. According to El Haj and Giachet (2016), autobiographical memory is known to contain all personal memories that is comparable to whom we are, were discovered to be damaged in Alzheimer’s disease. Autobiographical memory is known for being the key part of our memory system which allows repairs and maintenance of self-awareness, self-image, and personal knowledge and able to retreat past events from our lives (El Haj and Giachet, 2016). People with Alzheimer’s disease autobiographical memory are declined and it is difficult for them to relive past events of their lives.

Studies tried to reduce the damage of autobiographical memory by centering sensory signals. Studies also shown that music and odor are powerful benefactors of involuntary recovery by shrinking the time it will take to recover the memories. Involuntary autobiographical memories are conscious memories of events of one's life and those memories comes to the mind suddenly. Olfactory signals are connected memory and emotions which are amygdala and hippocampus. Neuroimaging studies shows that odor-evoked memories are distinguish by the brain areas activation that are associated with memory recovery and the cortex process of olfactory and recruit the brain regions that were operated during visual imagery and emotions (El Haj and Giachet, 2016).

El Haj, Gandolphe, Gallouj, Kapogiannis and Antoine (2017) presented a case study of 28 participants that were in the mild stage of Alzheimer’s disease and 30 healthy participants that were the controls. The Alzheimer’s disease participants were enrolled from retirement homes and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease dementia by a neurologist/geriatrician based on the clinical criteria from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association. The control participants were independent, lived own their own in their homes and lived with a spouse or relative of Alzheimer’s disease participants. Each participant was tested separately in three sessions: after odor exposure, after music exposure and in a control condition.

They were given three minutes to describe their memories and they were informed of this time limit in order for them to structure their memories accordingly and avoiding bias from distractions. Small bottle of essential oils was opened and participants had to smell the scents with their eyes closed and were asked to explain the memory that popped in their mind. Two pieces of music was played for the participants and they had to recall a memory. However, control participants, were told in silence with odor free air. The outcome of memories being recovered after odor and music exposure in Alzheimer’s disease participants had a higher precision, emotional experience, mental time travel and shorter comeback time than the control condition.

Researchers inquired whether the exposure would improve difficulties that recover memories in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Twenty- six patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease and 28 healthy control patients were tested to recover childhood, adulthood and current memories without odor and after odor exposure (El Haj, Gallouj, Glachet, and Moustafa, 2019). The outcome of this study showed Alzheimer’s disease patients had a higher number and more certain childhood, adulthood and current memories after odor exposure than without odor. The olfactory bulb is the first area that is affected in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The sense of smell is weaker in early stages of people with these diseases.

Correlating with different activities with different scents help reduce confusion for dementia people with what is going on. The scents can be essential oils, toast, coffee in the mornings or loved one’s favorite perfume or aftershave (Bowles, 2007). Same aroma every night before bed for someone with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is helpful due to helping them settle for bed. Rosemary, peppermint, lemon scents are not a good smell to help someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Essential oils are part of aromatherapy which is good for people with dementia including Alzheimer’s disease.

There are multiple essential oils that are effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia symptoms through smelling and rubbing into skin. Lavender smells are calming and balance strong emotions. Lemon balm are very effective and beneficial to people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Lemon balm are very effective and beneficial to people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Peppermint stimulates the mind and calm nerves and corrects absent-mind.

Rosemary oils improves cognitive performance, stimulates mind and body (Best-alzheimers-products.com, 2010). Essential oils trigger certain memories for dementia including Alzheimer's disease. The purpose of my proposal is to further investigate the extent to which scent memory can be used as a means to assist memory recall in persons with dementia. If memories can be sparked by scents, then persons with dementia including Alzheimer's disease may be triggered to recall certain memories when undergoing scent training. Word Cited El Haj M, Gandolphe MC, Gallouj K, Kapogiannis D, Antoine P.

2017. From nose to memory: The involuntary nature of odor-evoked autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s disease. Chem Senses. 43(1):27–34. Glachet O, El Haj M.

2019. Emotional and phenomenological properties of odor-evoked autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s Disease. Brain Sci. 9(6):135. Glachet O, Moustafa AA, Gallouj K, El Haj M.

2019. Smell your memories: Positive effect of odor exposure on recent and remote autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s disease. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 41(6):555–564. Joy Bowles BSc.

E. 2007 Mar 8. Remember that Smell - Dementia Care International. Dementiacareinternational.com. smell/. Olfactory stimulation for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

2010 Jan 6. Best-alzheimers-products.com. Intriago J. The connection between smells and memory. Seniorsmatter.com.

2016 Apr 25. First draft by Aminata Sillah Submission date: 05-Mar-:58PM (UTC-0800) Submission ID: File name: 223186___First_draft.pdf (98.9K) Word count: 1094 Character count: % SIMILARITY INDEX 16% INTERNET SOURCES 19% PUBLICATIONS 12% STUDENT PAPERS 1 7% 2 4% 3 4% 4 2% 5 2% 6 1% First draft ORIGINALITY REPORT PRIMARY SOURCES academic.oup.com Internet Source Internet Source Internet Source Jing Fan, Akshith Ullal, Linda Beuscher, Lorraine C. Mion, Paul Newhouse, Nilanjan Sarkar. "Field Testing of Ro-Tri, a Robot- Mediated Triadic Interaction for Older Adults", International Journal of Social Robotics, 2021 Publication Ophélie Glachet, Mohamad El Haj. "Emotional and Phenomenological Properties of Odor- Evoked Autobiographical Memories in Alzheimer’s Disease", Brain Sciences, 2019 Publication Tao Wang, Shuang-Feng Xu, Yong-Gang Fan, Lin-Bo Li, Chuang Guo.

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Aminata Sillah
[email protected]
March 4, 2021

Introduction

The sensory experience of smell uniquely interacts with memory recall, particularly among individuals with dementia. Research suggests that there is a direct correlation between the loss of olfactory senses and memory decline associated with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (Intriago, 2016). The olfactory memory, a function of the brain that allows us to remember smells, plays an integral role in both conscious and subconscious memory retrieval due to its direct connections to the emotional centers of the brain, specifically the hippocampus and the amygdala (Intriago, 2016). Given that smells can provoke long-term memories linked with emotional responses, harnessing this sensory ability presents potential therapeutic value for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Understanding Olfactory Memory

Olfactory memory is essential as it connects our sense of smell with emotional responses associated with past experiences (El Haj & Giachet, 2016). When considering patients with dementia, especially those with Alzheimer's disease, it becomes apparent that autobiographical memories—individual life events that define our identity—are significantly affected. The decline of autobiographical memory in individuals with Alzheimer's restricts their ability to recall meaningful personal experiences, thereby influencing their self-awareness (El Haj & Giachet, 2016).

Implications of Scent on Memory

Researchers have sought to mitigate this decline in autobiographical memory through sensory stimulation. Various studies have indicated the efficacy of auditory (music) and olfactory stimuli in eliciting involuntary autobiographical memories, which manifest suddenly and without conscious effort (El Haj et al., 2017). Neuroimaging studies reveal that odor-evoked memories activate specific brain regions associated with memory retrieval, illustrating how odor processing parallels visual imagery and emotions (El Haj & Giachet, 2016).

Methodological Insights

El Haj et al. (2017) conducted case studies involving participants diagnosed with mild-stage Alzheimer's disease alongside control groups. Participants were subject to different memory recall conditions: one involving odors, one involving music, and a control with no stimuli. Notably, participants with Alzheimer's demonstrated a pronounced improvement in memory recall after olfactory exposure compared to control conditions. The findings suggested that olfactory stimulation led to more vivid and emotionally rich recalls, demonstrating a promising method for memory engagement in dementia patients (El Haj et al., 2019).

Practical Applications of Olfactory Stimulation

Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

Integrating specific aromas into the daily lives of individuals with dementia can facilitate recall and positively influence emotional states. Various scents, such as citrus oils, lavender, and rosemary, have consistently shown benefits in treating symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease. Essential oils, when used in aromatherapy, can serve as powerful triggers for memories, offering emotional balance and promoting relaxation (Bowles, 2007).
1. Lavender: This calming scent aids in emotional regulation and alleviates anxiety in dementia patients.
2. Rosemary: Known for its cognitive enhancing properties, rosemary can help stimulate memory recall and mental clarity.
3. Lemon Balm: Research indicates that lemon balm effectively calms agitation and reduces anxiety, which is beneficial for dementia care.
4. Peppermint: Associated with mental stimulation, peppermint can enhance cognitive focus and improve moods (Best-alzheimers-products.com, 2010).

Consistency and Memory Conditioning

Creating a systematic approach to incorporating familiar scents can establish a reliable routine for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Utilizing a particular aroma before bedtime, for instance, may aid in relaxation and signal the brain that it is time to wind down. Identifying scents tied to positive experiences, such as a loved one's perfume or familiar home-cooked meals, creates emotional ties that enhance memory recall (Bowles, 2007). Matching daily activities with specific aromas can mitigate confusion and facilitate a sense of routine, which is crucial for managing dementia care (Intriago, 2016).

Future Research Directions

The objective of this proposal is to deepen the comprehension of how scent memory can be strategically employed as a mechanism to assist memory recall in those with dementia. By implementing structured scent training, it may be possible to unlock long-forgotten memories and facilitate emotional connections, thereby improving the quality of life and emotional well-being for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Subsequent studies should focus on longitudinal assessments of scent exposure and its impacts on cognitive function and emotional health. Additionally, exploring variations in individual responses to different scents and combinations could yield personalized strategies for dementia care (El Haj et al., 2019).

Conclusion

The potential of odor as a memory cue for individuals with dementia, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease, is significant. Given the deep-rooted connections between scent, memory, and emotion, incorporating sensory stimulation through odors can foster engagement, elicit reminiscence, and positively influence both the emotional landscape and cognitive functioning of affected individuals. Further research is critical to establish effective protocols and understand the underlying mechanisms driving scent-induced memory recall.

References

1. Bowles, J. (2007). Remember that Smell - Dementia Care International. Retrieved from https://dementiacareinternational.com/smell/
2. Best-alzheimers-products.com. (2010). Olfactory stimulation for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Retrieved from https://best-alzheimers-products.com
3. El Haj, M., Gandolphe, M. C., Gallouj, K., Kapogiannis, D., & Antoine, P. (2017). From nose to memory: The involuntary nature of odor-evoked autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s disease. Chemical Senses, 43(1), 27–34.
4. El Haj, M., Gallouj, K., Glachet, O., & Moustafa, A. A. (2019). Smell your memories: Positive effect of odor exposure on recent and remote autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 41(6), 555–564.
5. El Haj, M., & Giachet, F. (2016). Emotional and phenomenological properties of odor-evoked autobiographical memories in Alzheimer’s Disease. Brain Sciences, 9(6), 135.
6. Intriago, J. (2016). The connection between smells and memory. Seniors Matter. Retrieved from https://seniorsmatter.com
7. Wang, T., Xu, S. F., Fan, Y. G., Li, L. B., & Guo, C. (2019). Chapter 5 Iron Pathophysiology in Alzheimer’s Diseases. In Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
8. Alzheimer’s Society. (2022). Dementia and smell. Retrieved from https://alzheimers.org.uk
9. National Institute on Aging. (2022). Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://nia.nih.gov
10. Van Hoesen, G. W. (1997). The functional organization of the olfactory system. In The American Journal of Anatomy, 132-145.
This analysis aims to shed light on the profound impact that smell can have on memory and its potential as a therapeutic tool for those struggling with dementia. The next steps should involve a focused effort on structured research, clinical interventions, and family education to optimize the emotional and cognitive benefits of scent for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.