A mechanism that allows the brain to recreate vivid sensory experiences from memory has been uncovered. Using smell as a model the findings offered a novel perspective on how the senses are represented in memory and could explain why the loss of the ability to smell has become recognized as an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Lead author of the study Afif Aqrabawi said Our findings demonstrate for the first time how smells we've encountered in our lives are recreated in memory. There is a strong connection between memory and olfaction - the process of smelling and recognizing odours. Examining