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Updated: May 8, 2025

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
Olfactory Identification as a Biomarker for Cognitive Impairment: Insights from Healthy Aging, Subjective Cognitive
Jaime Bouhaben1, Alice Helena Delgado-Lima1, María Luisa Delgado-Losada1
1Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Processes and Speech Therapy Department, Faculty of Psychology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain.
Abstract:
Introduction: This study aims to investigate the relationship between olfactory identification (OI) and cognitive impairment by examining OI abilities across various stages of cognitive deterioration. Methods: A total of 264 participants were divided into three groups based on cognitive status: cognitively healthy, subjective cognitive, and mild cognitive impairment. All participants were assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks Olfactory Identification test and a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Results: Our results highlight the main effects of age and cognitive status on OI scores. Regarding cognitive abilities, OI is associated with measures of short-term memory, long-term, working memory, and selective attention. Finally, logistic regression models showed that OI is a significant predictor for discriminating SCD from CH, MCI from CH, and MCI from SCD. Discussion: These findings suggest the addition of olfactory identification measures in neuropsychological assessments could improve the early detection of individuals at risk for cognitive impairment.
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