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Olfactory function and neurocognitive outcomes in old age: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Neurocognitive Study
Author(s) -
Palta Priya,
Chen Honglei,
Deal Jennifer A.,
Sharrett A. Richey,
Gross Alden,
Knopman David,
Griswold Michael,
Heiss Gerardo,
Mosley Thomas H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.02.019
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , confidence interval , neuropsychology , cognition , audiology , medicine , dementia , memory clinic , olfaction , risk factor , clinical psychology , psychology , cognitive impairment , psychiatry , disease , neuroscience
We tested the hypothesis that poor sense of smell is associated with lower cognitive function and higher mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prevalence. Methods Olfaction, measured by the Sniffin' Sticks test, was categorized as olfactory impairment (OI) (score ≤6) or no OI (score >6). MCI was adjudicated based on review of a neuropsychological examination. Linear regression estimated the mean difference in cognitive factor scores, and log‐binomial regression quantified MCI prevalence among participants with versus without OI. Results Participants with OI had lower mean factor scores (memory: −0.27 standard deviation [SD], 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.35 to −0.19; language: −0.24 SD, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.17; executive function/processing speed: −0.09 SD, 95% CI: −0.12 to −0.06; and general cognitive performance: −0.25 SD, 95% CI: −0.30 to −0.20). OI was also associated with MCI (n = 204; prevalence ratio = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.37, 1.78). Discussion An impaired sense of smell may serve as a readily accessible early marker of neurodegeneration and improve upon the prevailing delayed diagnoses and underascertainment of MCI/dementia.