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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Olfactory screening test in mild cognitive impairment
A Eibenstein1, A B Fioretti, M N Simaskou
1Surgical Sciences Department, ENT, University of L'Aquila, Piazza S. Tommasi 1, Coppito, I-67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
Abstract:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transient status between physiologic ageing and dementia. Each year more than 12% of subjects with MCI develop Alzheimer's disease. This study evaluated the presence of an olfactory deficit in amnesic MCI (aMCI) patients. Twenty-nine patients diagnosed with aMCI and a homogeneous control group of 29 subjects were enrolled in the study. Olfactory function was assessed by the Sniffin' Sticks Screening Test (SSST) and the Mini Mental State Examination, the Clinical Dementia Rating, the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Mental Deterioration Battery were used to evaluate the neurocognitive status. aMCI patients showed a significant impairment of their olfactory identification compared to controls (SSST score: 8.3+/-2.1 vs. 10.8+/-0.9; p<0.001). These results suggest that olfactory tests should be part of the diagnostic armamentarium of pre-clinical dementia. A long-term follow up might confirm the olfactory identification function as an early and reliable marker in the diagnosis of pre-clinical dementia.
Insights
Patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show significant olfactory identification deficits. These findings suggest olfactory tests could aid in diagnosing pre-clinical dementia.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional phase between normal aging and dementia.
- Over 12% of individuals with MCI progress to Alzheimer's disease annually.
- Early detection of pre-clinical dementia is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate olfactory deficits in patients with amnesic MCI (aMCI).
- To assess the potential of olfactory identification as an early marker for pre-clinical dementia.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 29 aMCI patients and 29 healthy controls.
- Olfactory function assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks Screening Test (SSST).
- Neurocognitive status evaluated with the Mini Mental State Examination, Clinical Dementia Rating, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Mental Deterioration Battery.
Main Results:
- aMCI patients exhibited significantly impaired olfactory identification compared to controls (SSST score: 8.3±2.1 vs. 10.8±0.9, p<0.001).
- A notable difference in olfactory identification ability was observed between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory identification impairment is present in aMCI patients.
- Olfactory tests may serve as a valuable tool in the diagnostic assessment of pre-clinical dementia.
- Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm olfactory identification as an early and reliable diagnostic marker.
