Olfactory deficits in neuroleptic naive patients with schizophrenia

Because previous studies have shown deficits in olfactory identification for male patients with schizophrenia, either withdrawn from or receiving neuroleptic medication, the purpose of the current study was to determine if such deficits occurred in male patients who had never received neuroleptics. A sample of male (n = 30) and female (n = 10) patients as well as age appropriate controls (males, n = 28, females, n = 30) was assessed in terms of olfactory acuity and identification ability. No differences were found in olfactory acuity, but an olfactory identification deficit was present in 31% of the male patients with schizophrenia. As the olfactory pathways project through the limbic system and to the orbitofrontal cortex, odour identification may be a measure of the functional integrity of these structures. Therefore, these results suggest that for a sub-sample of male patients, the functional integrity of these structures is compromised.