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Olfactory Dysfunction as an Early Biomarker in Parkinson's Disease
Michelle E Fullard1,2, James F Morley3,4, John E Duda3,4
1Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. Michelle.Fullard@uphs.upenn.edu.
Neuroscience Bulletin
|August 24, 2017
Summary
Olfactory dysfunction is a common early sign of Parkinson's disease (PD), appearing years before diagnosis. Olfaction tests offer a low-cost biomarker for early detection, differential diagnosis, and prognosis in Parkinson's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction is a prevalent, early symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- It reflects the initial deposition of Lewy pathology in the olfactory bulb, the hallmark of PD.
- Olfactory impairment often precedes motor symptoms by several years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
- To explore the potential of olfaction as a biomarker for early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis.
- To highlight the correlation between olfactory function and other non-motor features and cognitive decline in PD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on olfaction and Parkinson's disease.
- Analysis of clinical tests for characterizing olfactory dysfunction (identification, discrimination, detection, memory).
- Assessment of odor intensity perception and its relation to PD.
Main Results:
- Olfactory dysfunction is highly prevalent in Parkinson's disease.
- Olfaction tests are rapid, easy to administer, and cost-effective.
- Hyposmia can aid in differentiating PD from other parkinsonian disorders and identifying pre-motor PD.
- Olfactory function correlates with non-motor symptoms and predicts cognitive decline.
Conclusions:
- Olfaction serves as a promising biomarker for early and differential diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.
- Olfactory assessment can provide prognostic information regarding disease progression and cognitive decline.
- Further research into olfactory biomarkers could significantly impact PD management.
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