TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - DISORDERS OF SMELL AND TASTE A1 - Doty, Richard L. A1 - Bromley, Steven M. A2 - Hauser, Stephen L. A2 - Josephson, S. Andrew PY - 2018 T2 - Harrison's Neurology in Clinical Medicine, 4e AB - All environmental chemicals necessary for life enter the body by the nose and mouth. The senses of smell (olfaction) and taste (gustation) monitor such chemicals, determine the flavor and palatability of foods and beverages, and warn of dangerous environmental conditions, including fire, air pollution, leaking natural gas, and bacteria-laden foodstuffs. These senses contribute significantly to quality of life and, when dysfunctional, can have untoward physical and psychological consequences. A basic understanding of these senses in health and disease is critical for the physician, because thousands of patients present to doctors’ offices each year with complaints of chemosensory dysfunction. Among the more important recent developments in neurology is the discovery that decreased smell function is among the first signs, if not the first sign, of such neurodegenerative diseases as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), signifying their “presymptomatic” phase. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - neurology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1145768783 ER -