A groundbreaking study, published in Frontiers in Immunology (2023), has revealed that menthol inhalation may offer cognitive benefits in mice with Alzheimer’s disease. The research, led by scientists from Spain’s Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), demonstrated that inhaling menthol for six months improved memory in Alzheimer’s-affected mice, while also boosting cognitive abilities in healthy young mice. The study identified a key mechanism: menthol reduced levels of interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), a protein involved in inflammatory responses that can contribute to brain damage when uncontrolled. Moreover, reducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) mirrored menthol’s effects, suggesting immune modulation as a potential treatment strategy. This research underscores the olfactory system’s influence on both the immune and central nervous systems, offering a new perspective on using odors to combat neurodegenerative diseases. However, further studies in humans are essential to confirm these promising findings.
Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1130044/full
