Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Digital Handwriting Analysis of Characters in Chinese Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
05:58

Digital Handwriting Analysis of Characters in Chinese Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Published on: March 11, 2021

5.0K

Olfactory Impairment and Hippocampal Volume in a Chinese MCI Clinical Sample

Hong-Li Yu1, Zhi-Juan Chen, Ji-Wei Zhao

  • 1Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.

Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders
|May 17, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Olfactory function is closely linked to hippocampal volume in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study found that impaired smell is associated with reduced hippocampal size, particularly in the head region.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Medical Imaging
  • Olfactory Research

Background:

  • Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, often characterized by memory deficits.
  • The hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation and is known to be affected in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Olfactory dysfunction is an early, non-motor symptom observed in various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between olfactory function and hippocampal volume in patients diagnosed with MCI.
  • To determine if olfactory test scores correlate with specific hippocampal subfield volumes in the MCI population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 31 MCI patients and 9 healthy controls underwent 3.0T MRI to measure hippocampal volume.
  • Olfactory function was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT).
  • Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationship between UPSIT scores and hippocampal volumes.

Main Results:

  • MCI patients exhibited significantly reduced left and right hippocampal volumes compared to controls.
  • Individuals with olfactory dysfunction showed smaller hippocampal and hippocampal head volumes than those with normal olfactory function.
  • A significant positive correlation was observed between UPSIT scores and volumes of the left and right hippocampus, as well as the hippocampal head.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory function demonstrates a strong correlation with hippocampal volume in patients with mild cognitive impairment.
  • These findings suggest that olfactory assessment may serve as a potential indicator for hippocampal changes in MCI.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the clinical utility of olfactory function in predicting or monitoring MCI progression.

More Related Videos

Preparation of Oligomeric β-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices04:41

Preparation of Oligomeric β-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices

Published on: July 14, 2010

23.9K
Enema of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis06:05

Enema of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis

Published on: January 27, 2023

27.9K

Related Concept Videos

Constant Volume Calorimetry02:41

Constant Volume Calorimetry

Calorimeters are useful to determine the heat released or absorbed by a chemical reaction. Coffee cup calorimeters are designed to operate at constant (atmospheric) pressure and are convenient to measure heat flow (or enthalpy change) accompanying processes that occur in solution at constant pressure. A different type of calorimeter that operates at constant volume, colloquially known as a bomb calorimeter, is used to measure the energy produced by reactions that yield large amounts of heat and...
30.6K
Volume of Distribution01:20

Volume of Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) is a crucial pharmacokinetic parameter representing the hypothetical body fluid volume into which a drug disperses. It is calculated based on the total amount of drug in the body (estimated from the administered dose and bioavailability) divided by the plasma drug concentration. The total amount of drug in the body does not directly refer to the dose given but is derived by accounting for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion processes.
1.2K
Work Done During Volume Change01:17

Work Done During Volume Change

In mechanics, work is done on an object when the force acting on it displaces the object. In thermodynamics, work done on a system can be estimated when the system's volume changes during any thermodynamic process.
Consider a gas confined to a cylinder fitted with a movable piston at one end. If the gas expands from volume V1 to volume V2, it exerts a force on the piston, such that the piston moves by a distance dr.
The work done by the gas on the piston can be expressed as
5.1K
Respiratory Volumes01:15

Respiratory Volumes

Respiratory volumes are crucial metrics, meticulously measured to quantify the air exchanged in and out of the lungs during various phases of the breathing cycle. These precise measurements are vital for assessing lung function, diagnosing respiratory conditions, and monitoring overall respiratory health. Each parameter provides specific insights into the mechanics of breathing and the functional capacity of the lungs.
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...
2.9K
Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment01:17

Factors Affecting Renal Clearance: Renal Impairment

Renal dysfunction significantly impairs the renal clearance of drugs, leading to potential complications in drug therapy. Renal failure, which can be caused by various factors, poses a significant challenge in the elimination of drugs from the body.
One condition associated with renal failure is uremia. Uremia is characterized by impaired glomerular filtration and fluid accumulation in the body. This condition hinders the renal clearance of drugs, resulting in drug accumulation and potential...
436
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
12.6K