title: Olfactory dysfunction discriminates probable Alzheimer's dementia from major depression: a cross-validation and extension.
abstract: The present study was conducted to cross-validate and extend the hypothesis that olfactory dysfunction could discriminate between groups of patients with Alzheimer's disease and major depression. Forty patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for either Alzheimer's disease or major depression (20 per group) underwent assessment with the Pocket Smell Test (PST), a three-item screening measure of odor identification, and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). A PST score of < or = 1 (1 or 0 correct) discriminated between the groups with a hit rate of 97.5% (sensitivity = 95%, specificity = 100%). The optimal hit rate for the MMSE (< or =24) was less effective (hit rate = 90%, sensitivity = 80%, specificity = 100%). Age, gender, and education had minimal impact on the PST for both groups. Olfactory assessment continues to add to the diagnostic utility in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease versus major depression in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: University at Albany-State University of New York and Psychiatric Consultants, PC, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Solomon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds