Scientists restored sense of smell to mice bred to have human genetic disorder Has potential to help patients with dementia, which has been linked to loss of smell

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 03:52 EST, 3 September 2012 | UPDATED: 06:01 EST, 3 September 2012

People born without a sense of smell could enjoy their first aromas, after a scientific breakthrough.

Researchers managed to reverse the problem in mice bred to have the human genetic disorder called congenital anosmia.

They may be able to adapt the procedure to reverse loss of smell caused by ageing or disease.

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The technique regrows parts of cells known as cilia that are essential for olfactory function, according to a study published online in Mature Medicine.

Dr James Battey, director of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders (NIDCD) in the US, said: 'These results could lead to one of the first therapeutic options for treating people with congenital anosmia.

'They also set the stage for therapeutic approaches to treating diseases that involve cilia dysfunction in other organ systems, many of which can be fatal if left untreated.'

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Anosmia: Gene therapy offers new hope after restoring sense in mice

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