About this Research Topic
Sensory deficits in older adults are common. In the United States, it has been estimated that an astounding 94% of older adults have at least one sensory deficiency. The most frequent of these deficits is the impairment of taste, although an estimated 67% of older adults experience two or more deficits in sensory function.
Sensory deficits present a significant problem for older adults, and recent research has indicated that these deficits might be effective as early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, loss of smell can be a sign of neuropathology in the olfactory neural network, and may be associated with developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing loss and visual dysfunction have also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The early diagnosis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases has never been more important due to the ever-increasing aging population. Furthermore, in recent times, loss of smell has been a prominent symptom of Covid-19, which has intensified the relevance of researching alterations in sensory function.
This Research Topic is looking to address key aspects of age-related sensory deficits to promote discussion around this topic. It will be used as a platform to highlight the latest novel research studying the relationship between sensory loss and early detection of age-related neurological disorders. Early detection of cognitive decline via sensory loss can be used, potentially in conjunction with other methods, to preserve cognitive function in older adults. It also is hoped that some research may be useful in alleviating the burden of sensory loss for older adults.
We particularly welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Methods, and Perspective articles on the following sub-topics:
- Sensory loss as a predictor of cognition deficits
- Cellular and Molecular basis of sensorial deficits
- Recovery of sensory loss via training and its related effect on cognition and impact on neurodegenerative diseases
- Molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction involved in neurological disorders
- Neuroimaging of neural activity associated with sensory deficits and their relationship with cognitive decline
- Genetic and epigenetic aspects related to sensory deficits in neurodegenerative diseases
- Causes of sensory deficits and treatments
Sensory deficits present a significant problem for older adults, and recent research has indicated that these deficits might be effective as early indicators of neurodegenerative diseases. For example, loss of smell can be a sign of neuropathology in the olfactory neural network, and may be associated with developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing loss and visual dysfunction have also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The early diagnosis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases has never been more important due to the ever-increasing aging population. Furthermore, in recent times, loss of smell has been a prominent symptom of Covid-19, which has intensified the relevance of researching alterations in sensory function.
This Research Topic is looking to address key aspects of age-related sensory deficits to promote discussion around this topic. It will be used as a platform to highlight the latest novel research studying the relationship between sensory loss and early detection of age-related neurological disorders. Early detection of cognitive decline via sensory loss can be used, potentially in conjunction with other methods, to preserve cognitive function in older adults. It also is hoped that some research may be useful in alleviating the burden of sensory loss for older adults.
We particularly welcome submissions of Original Research, Review, Methods, and Perspective articles on the following sub-topics:
- Sensory loss as a predictor of cognition deficits
- Cellular and Molecular basis of sensorial deficits
- Recovery of sensory loss via training and its related effect on cognition and impact on neurodegenerative diseases
- Molecular mechanisms of sensory transduction involved in neurological disorders
- Neuroimaging of neural activity associated with sensory deficits and their relationship with cognitive decline
- Genetic and epigenetic aspects related to sensory deficits in neurodegenerative diseases
- Causes of sensory deficits and treatments
Keywords: sensory impairment, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis, neurodegeneration
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
