Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 19, 2026

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: August 25, 2014
Sex-related differences in olfactory function and evaluation of possible confounding factors among patients with
P Solla1, C Masala2, A Liscia3
1Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Center, Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.), University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. paosol29@yahoo.it.
Abstract:
The role of specific sex-related patterns in olfactory dysfunctions of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of specific sex-related patterns in olfactory dysfunctions excluding the possibility of confounding effects in patients with Parkinson's disease. One hundred and sixty-eight participants (99 PD patients and 69 controls) were enrolled and evaluated using Sniffin' Sticks Extended test (SSET). There was no significant sex difference in the control group for the SSET parameters. By contrast, in the PD group male patients scored significantly lower on odor discrimination (OD), identification (OI), and Threshold-Discrimination-Identification (TDI) score than females. On multivariable linear regression analysis, the only significant predictors of TDI score were sex and apathy. Among PD patients, men showed a significantly greater impairment compared to women in OI, OD and TDI score, but not in odor threshold (OT). These findings highlighted the possible role of sex differences in the development of associated PD non-motor symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
Olfaction
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
The olfactory...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
Neural Regulation
Parkinson's Disease: Overview

