As the nose is closely connected to the brain in anatomical terms via the olfactory nerve, the nasal microbiome, i.e. all the bacteria inside the nose, can exert an influence on brain function—in a similar way to the gut microbiome, which is linked to the brain via the gut-brain axis.

Food scientist Professor Marie-Christine Simon, psychiatrist Professor Anja Schneider and neuropsychologist Professor Michael Wagner are exploring the link between the nasal microbiome and Alzheimer’s disease.