Assessing olfaction in the neuropsychological exam: the relationship between odor identification and cognition in older adults.
The relationship between odor identification and cognition has not been previously well characterized. The neuroanatomy of the olfactory system and the frequent finding of olfactory dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases suggest a likely relationship between odor identification and memory, language, and executive functioning, though previous studies have often failed to demonstrate the expected relationship. The current study examined this relationship in across a continuum of ability levels (N=100). Strongest correlations were found between odor identification and language, most aspects of memory, and a measure of general cognitive functioning. Significant but more modest correlations were seen between odor identification and attention, motor, visuospatial, and executive functions. A regression analysis revealed language as the only significant predictor of olfactory performance. These findings suggest that odor identification is most closely associated with other measures of temporo-limbic functioning. The implications of these findings, particularly in consideration of the assessment of older adults, are discussed.
Westervelt
Holly James
HJ
Rhode Island Hospital, Physician's Office Building, Suite 430, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA, and Brown Medical School, RI, USA. hwestervelt@lifespan.org
Ruffolo
Jessica Somerville
JS
Tremont
Geoffrey
G
D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009812:Odorants; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013223:Statistics as Topic