n the race to catch Alzheimer’s disease early—before memory loss sets in—one of the most unexpected tools may be right under our noses: our sense of smell.

A new study led by Benoît Jobin, Colin Magdamo, Daniela Delphus, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital introduces the AROMHA Brain Health Test (ABHT)—a self-administered, at-home smell test designed to detect early cognitive decline through olfactory performance. Published in Scientific Reports in 2025, this breakthrough could dramatically reshape how we screen for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Why Smell? The Science Behind the Nose-Brain Connection

Long before memory problems appear, Alzheimer’s disease quietly alters brain regions involved in processing scent—such as the olfactory bulb, entorhinal cortex, and amygdala. In fact, olfactory impairment may precede memory loss by up to 20 years.

The AROMHA test taps into this early-warning system by evaluating multiple facets of smell:

• Odor identification (What is that smell?)

• Odor discrimination (Are these two scents the same or different?)

• Odor memory (Have I smelled this before?)

• Odor intensity (How strong is this scent?)

Participants receive a mailed set of peel-and-sniff labels and complete the test online in English or Spanish, reporting their answers and confidence levels in real-time.

Accessible, Affordable, and Surprisingly Accurate

In a study of over 180 individuals—ranging from cognitively normal to those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—the AROMHA test consistently distinguished at-risk individuals from healthy peers. The most notable differences were in odor identification and discrimination scores, particularly in older adults (aged 55+).

Even more impressively, results were consistent whether participants were observed remotely, in-person, or completed the test entirely on their own. That means the ABHT can be used widely at home—without sacrificing data quality.

The test also performed equally well across English and Spanish speakers, marking a critical step toward inclusive, global health screening tools.

Why It Matters: A New Front in Alzheimer’s Detection

With Alzheimer’s affecting nearly 7 million Americans—and that number expected to double—early detection is key to meaningful intervention. Current tools like brain imaging or spinal taps are costly, invasive, and limited in availability. The AROMHA test offers a non-invasive, affordable, and scalable way to screen those most at risk.

It could also help identify ideal candidates for clinical trials, long before symptoms become apparent.

Looking Forward

While further research is underway—including longitudinal studies and biomarker comparisons—the AROMHA Brain Health Test offers an exciting glimpse into the future of cognitive screening. One day soon, catching early-stage neurodegeneration might be as easy as taking a sniff.

Authors of the study: Benoît Jobin, Colin Magdamo, Daniela Delphus, Andreas Runde, Sean Reineke, Alysa Alejandro Soto, Beyzanur Ergun, Sasha Mukhija, Alefiya Dhilla Albers, and Mark W. Albers
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-92826-8