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Olfactory disorder in motor neuron disease

C H Hawkes1, B C Shephard, J F Geddes

  • 1Department of Clinical Neurology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom. ChrisHawkes@msn.com

Experimental Neurology
|May 30, 1998
PubMed
Summary

Motor neuron disease (MND) patients showed mild olfactory dysfunction, particularly those with bulbar involvement, unlike the severe deficits seen in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Histopathology revealed subclinical neuronal damage in olfactory bulbs.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Olfactory Research

Background:

  • Profound olfactory disorders are characteristic of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
  • The involvement of olfaction in motor neuron disease (MND) remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the extent of olfactory system involvement in motor neuron disease.
  • To compare olfactory function in MND patients with that in healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Olfactory function was assessed using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) in 58 patients and 135 controls.
  • Olfactory-evoked potentials (OEPs) were measured in 15 patients.
  • Histopathological examination of olfactory bulbs from 8 cadavers was performed.

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Main Results:

  • MND patients exhibited slightly reduced smell identification overall, with bulbar patients scoring significantly lower on the UPSIT.
  • A subtle deficit in cheese odor recognition was observed.
  • Histological analysis revealed excess lipofuscin deposition in olfactory bulbs, suggesting subclinical neuronal damage.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory dysfunction in motor neuron disease is generally mild, contrasting with more severe deficits in other neurodegenerative conditions.
  • Subclinical neuronal damage in olfactory bulbs may occur in MND.
  • Olfactory neurons might be susceptible to damage due to their direct environmental exposure.