This project explores the connection between the olfactory system and neurodegeneration by examining on a microscopic level the similarities and differences between olfactory neuron receptors in healthy olfactory tissue, and olfactory tissue from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s cadavers.  Specifically, we analyzed the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulbs from both healthy and neurodegenerative tissue by using immunohistochemistry to identify targeted olfactory receptor neurons. Because anosmia is one of the earliest symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, the long term goal of our research project is to use this comparison of healthy and neurodegenerative olfactory tissue to provide an innovative way of understanding neurodegeneration and how to mitigate its symptoms and progression.