Abstract
Olfactory function is significantly and early impaired in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Epigenetic regulation and adult neurogenesis are some of the major cutting edge research directions in studying the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Leading scientists in these research areas were invited to participate in this symposium to introduce to the chemical senses community their novel insights into the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases. Insight into the mechanisms underlying olfactory system impairment in neurodegenerative diseases may facilitate both the identification of individuals likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia who will benefit most from interventions at the earliest incidence of impairment, and the identification of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.