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Olfactory function and cognition in relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis.
A Carotenuto1, T Costabile1, M Moccia2
1Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show impaired smell identification, linked to cognitive deficits. This olfactory dysfunction may serve as an indirect indicator of MS severity, especially in progressive forms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Olfactory Research
Background:
- Cognitive and olfactory impairments are common in multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The relationship between smell identification and cognitive function in MS is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate olfactory function in MS patients.
- To determine the association between olfactory function and cognitive/physical disability in MS.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-five MS patients and 20 healthy controls (HCs) underwent testing.
- Olfactory function assessed using the University of Pennsylvania smell identification test (UPSIT).
- Cognitive function evaluated via SDMT, CVLT II, BVMT, PASAT, and COWAT; fatigue and depression also measured.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly lower UPSIT scores compared to HCs (p=0.02).
- The most pronounced olfactory deficits were observed in secondary-progressive and cognitively impaired MS patients.
- Olfactory test scores correlated with performance on the SDMT, CVLT II, BVMT, and COWAT.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory dysfunction is confirmed in MS, particularly in progressive phenotypes.
- This study demonstrates, for the first time, a link between olfactory deficits and various cognitive measures in MS.
- Olfactory dysfunction may represent an indirect marker of MS severity, warranting further longitudinal investigation.
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