title: Olfactory deficit and hippocampal volume loss for early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this pilot study was to verify the role of olfactory test and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging measure of hippocampus to predict conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer disease (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment, broadly defined, were followed at 12 months. Hypothesized baseline predictors for follow-up conversion to AD were olfactory deficit and hippocampal volumes loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the 1-year follow-up, 5 patients converted to AD. The 2 clinical predictors olfactory test and hippocampal volume loss showed the same sensitivity of 92.3% but the olfactory test showed a higher specificity than the hippocampal volume loss (75% vs. 60%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest the potential utility of olfactory test and hippocampal volume loss for early detection of AD.
authors: Departments of *Aging Science †Radiology, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome Departments of ‡Applied Sciences, ENT §Applied Sciences, Section of Clinical Epidemiology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Marigliano
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Gualdi
authors: Adriana
authors: A
authors: Servello
authors: Benedetta
authors: B
authors: Marigliano
authors: Luigi D
authors: LD
authors: Volpe
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Fioretti
authors: Martina
authors: M
authors: Pagliarella
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Valenti
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Masedu
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Di Biasi
authors: Evaristo
authors: E
authors: Ettorre
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Fusetti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001284:Atrophy; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity