Mania associated olfactory dysfunction: A comparison between bipolar subjects in mania and remission
Francois Kazour1, Boriana Atanasova2, Marc Mourad3
1UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, INSERM, Tours, France; Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire, CHU de Tours, Tours, France; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
Journal of Psychiatric Research
|November 2, 2022
Summary
Patients with bipolar disorder in manic episodes exhibit olfactory deficits, particularly with positive odors. These olfactory dysfunctions may indicate manic states and potentially bipolarity traits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Olfactory Research
Background:
- Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition.
- Olfactory dysfunction has been observed in various psychiatric disorders.
- Understanding sensory processing in bipolar disorder can offer new diagnostic and therapeutic insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate olfactory functions in patients experiencing manic episodes of bipolar disorder.
- To compare olfactory performance between manic patients, remitted bipolar patients, and healthy controls.
- To investigate potential olfactory deficits as indicators of manic state or bipolar disorder traits.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 96 participants into three groups: bipolar mania (MB), euthymic bipolar (EB), and healthy controls (HC).
- Assessed olfactory function using Sniffin' sticks threshold and identification tests.
- Evaluated odor pleasantness, intensity, familiarity, and emotion, alongside clinical assessments for mania, depression, anxiety, and anhedonia.
Main Results:
- Patients in manic episodes showed deficits in identifying positive odors compared to EB and HC groups (MB < EB < HC).
- Positive odors were rated as less pleasant and emotional by MB patients.
- Mania was associated with higher emotional ratings for negative odors (MB > EB = HC).
Conclusions:
- Olfactory deficits in identifying positive odors are present in the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
- These dysfunctions may serve as potential indicators of the manic state.
- Persistent olfactory dysfunction in remission could indicate a trait marker for bipolarity.
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