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Odor perception in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity.
Masayuki Ojima1, Hideki Tonori, Toshihiko Sato
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Kitasato University, Sagamihara 228-8555, Japan.
The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine
|February 25, 2003
Summary
Individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) can identify odors as well as controls, but experience more unpleasant sensations from common smells. This suggests altered emotional responses to odors, not impaired smell recognition, in MCS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by symptoms triggered by low-level chemical exposures.
- The underlying mechanisms of MCS, particularly sensory processing, remain unclear.
- Hypotheses suggest impaired odor recognition or heightened emotional responses to odors in MCS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) involves impaired odor identification or altered emotional perception of odors.
- To compare odor identification and emotional responses between individuals with MCS and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT).
- Assessed both odor identifiability and subjective emotional impressions (pleasant/unpleasant) of odors.
- Compared results between 25 individuals with MCS and 50 matched controls.
Main Results:
- Odor identification scores were comparable between the MCS and control groups.
- Individuals with MCS reported significantly fewer pleasant sensations and more unpleasant sensations from odors compared to controls.
- Gingerbread was the sole exception, eliciting a more pleasant response in MCS subjects.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates that individuals with MCS possess intact odor identification abilities.
- MCS is associated with an increased negative emotional response to a wider range of odors.
- These findings suggest altered odor perception in MCS, potentially impacting diagnosis and management.