Chemosensory Dysfunction in Alcohol-Related Disorders: A Joint Exploration of Olfaction and Taste.
Chemosensory (olfaction-taste) dysfunctions are considered as reliable biomarkers in many neurological and psychiatric states. However, experimental measures of chemosensory abilities are lacking in alcohol-dependence (AD) and Korsakoff Syndrome (KS, a neurological complication of AD), despite the role played by alcohol-related odors and taste in the emergence and maintenance of AD. This study thus investigated chemosensory impairments in AD and KS. Olfactory-gustatory measures were taken among 20 KS, 20 AD, and 20 control participants. Olfaction (odor detection-discrimination-identification) was assessed using the "Sniffin Sticks" battery and taste was measured using the "Taste Strips" task. Impairments were found for high-level olfaction in AD (odor discrimination) and KS (odor discrimination-identification), even after controlling for psychopathological comorbidities. Gustatory deficits were also observed in both groups, indexing a global deficit for chemosensory perception. Finally, the gradient of impairment between the successive disease stages for odor identification suggests that the hypothesis of a continuum between AD and KS regarding cognitive deficits can be generalized to chemosensory perception. AD and KS are thus characterized by deficits in chemosensory abilities, which could constitute a marker of the AD-KS transition. In view of its deleterious influence on everyday life, chemosensory dysfunction should also be taken into account in clinical settings.
Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Mélanie
M
Brion
Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Department of Adult Psychiatry, St Luc Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Philippe
P
de Timary
Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
Caroline
C
Vander Stappen
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Beau-Vallon Hospital, 205 rue de Bricgniot, B-5002 Saint-Servais, Belgium.
Lamia
L
Guettat
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Saint-Martin Hospital, 84 rue Saint-Hubert, B-5100 Dave, Belgium and.
Benoît
B
Lecomte
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, St Luc Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Avenue Hippocrate, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium.
Philippe
P
Rombaux
Laboratory for Experimental Psychopathology, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, Psychological Science Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, 10 Place C. Mercier, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, pierre.maurage@uclouvain.be.
Pierre
P
Maurage
D000328:Adult; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020915:Korsakoff Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013649:Taste; D013652:Taste Threshold
Korsakoff syndrome; alcohol-dependence; olfaction; taste