Olfactory identification ability in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Masashi Yoshitake, Etsuko Maeshima, Shinichiro Maeshima and 4 others
PMID 36337215WHAT IT FOUND
People with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease struggled to identify specific odors like gas leaks and curry, but could still smell pungent odors like sweaty socks.
This suggests olfactory testing should precede safety guidance or sensory interventions.
Key findings
01Total olfactory identification scores were significantly lower in both the MCI and AD groups compared to the control group.
02The AD group had a 0% correct identification rate for the gas leak odor, which was significantly lower than both the MCI and control groups.
03Identification rates for pungent odors like sweaty socks and perfume did not differ significantly among the three groups.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study excluded individuals with advanced AD who could not understand the instructions, limiting generalizability to severe cases. The OSIT-J cannot distinguish whether an incorrect answer in severe cases is due to lack of understanding or inability to smell. The sample size was small (12 MCI, 17 AD, 30 controls).
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all olfactory deficits are equal or that standard smell tests reflect real-world safety risks uniformly. The study shows that while general identification is impaired, specific odors like sweaty socks are still recognized, whereas the gas leak odor is completely missed by the AD group. Safety advice must be tailored to these specific gaps.