Even cognitively well-functioning adults are unaware of their olfactory dysfunction: Implications for ENT clinicians and researchers

Background: Past findings of an impact of cognitive impairment on awareness of olfactory dysfunction, and high prevalence of age-associated cognitive impairment motivated the present study of whether middle-aged and elderly adults are unaware of an olfactory dysfunction despite being carefully screened for cognitive impairment. Methodology: The sample included 203 Norwegian participants, aged 46-79 years, 134 women and 69 men, who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessment for screening of cognitive impairment. Subjective assessment of olfactory function ("How would you estimate your sense of smell?") was compared with outcome on objective assessment of olfactory function with the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test, which in the present study was shown to be valid for use on Norwegian populations. Results: We found that 79% of this cognitively healthy sample with objectively assessed olfactory dysfunction reported normal olfactory function (57% of functionally anosmics reported normal function). In contrast, only 9% with objectively assessed normal olfactory function reported olfactory dysfunction. Conclusion: A large proportion of cognitively well-functioning middle-aged and elderly adults with an olfactory dysfunction are unaware of their dysfunction. The ENT physician who suspects that the sense of smell may be compromised should, in addition to an anamnesis, assess the patient`s olfactory function objectively.

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Assessment of High Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Using Plasma Biomarkers in Subjects with Normal Cognition in Taiwan: A Preliminary Study

Journal of Alzheimer s Disease Reports ◽

10.3233/adr-210310 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Chaur-Jong Hu ◽

Ming-Jang Chiu ◽

Ming-Chyi Pai ◽

Sui-Hing Yan ◽

Pei-Ning Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

High Risk ◽

Normal Population ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cognitively Normal ◽

Plasma Biomarkers ◽

Middle Aged Adults ◽

Normal Cognition

Background: In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), cognitive impairment begins 10– 15 years later than neurodegeneration in the brain. Plasma biomarkers are promising candidates for assessing neurodegeneration in people with normal cognition. It has been reported that subjects with the concentration of plasma amyloid-β 1-42×total tau protein higher than 455 pg2/ml2 are assessed as having a high risk of amnesic mild impairment or AD, denoted as high risk of AD (HRAD). Objective: The prevalence of high-risk for dementia in cognitively normal controls is explored by assaying plasma biomarkers. Methods: 422 subjects with normal cognition were enrolled around Taiwan. Plasma Aβ 1 - 40, Aβ 1 - 42, and T-Tau levels were assayed using immunomagnetic reduction to assess the risk of dementia. Results: The results showed that 4.6% of young adults (age: 20– 44 years), 8.5% of middle-aged adults (age: 45– 64 years), and 7.3% of elderly adults (age: 65– 90 years) had HRAD. The percentage of individuals with HRAD dramatically increased in middle-aged and elderly adults compared to young adults. Conclusion: The percentage of HRAD in cognitively normal subjects are approximately 10% , which reveals that the potentially public-health problem of AD in normal population. Although the subject having abnormal levels of Aβ or tau is not definitely going on to develop cognitive declines or AD, the risk of suffering cognitive impairment in future is relatively high. Suitable managements are suggested for these high-risk cognitively normal population. Worth noting, attention should be paid to preventing cognitive impairment due to AD, not only in elderly adults but also middle-aged adults.

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Protective effects of intracerebroventricular adiponectin against olfactory impairments in an amyloid β1–42 rat model

BMC Neuroscience ◽

10.1186/s12868-021-00620-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mara A. Guzmán-Ruiz ◽

Amor Herrera-González ◽

Adriana Jiménez ◽

Alan Candelas-Juárez ◽

Crystal Quiroga-Lozano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Amyloid Beta ◽

Rat Model ◽

Calcium Binding ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Arginase 1 ◽

Olfactory Impairment

Abstract Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by cognitive impairment that eventually develops into dementia. Amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation is a widely described hallmark in AD, and has been reported to cause olfactory dysfunction, a condition considered an early marker of the disease associated with injuries in the olfactory bulb (OB), the hippocampus (HIPP) and other odor-related cortexes. Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine with neuroprotective effects. Studies have demonstrated that APN administration decreases Aβ neurotoxicity and Tau hyperphosphorylation in the HIPP, reducing cognitive impairment. However, there are no studies regarding the neuroprotective effects of APN in the olfactory dysfunction observed in the Aβ rat model. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) administration of APN prevents the early olfactory dysfunction in an i.c.v Amyloid-beta1–42 (Aβ1–42) rat model. Hence, we evaluated olfactory function by using a battery of olfactory tests aimed to assess olfactory memory, discrimination and detection in the Aβ rat model treated with APN. In addition, we determined the number of cells expressing the neuronal nuclei (NeuN), as well as the number of microglial cells by using the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) marker in the OB and, CA1, CA3, hilus and dentate gyrus (DG) in the HIPP. Finally, we determined Arginase-1 expression in both nuclei through Western blot. Results We observed that the i.c.v injection of Aβ decreased olfactory function, which was prevented by the i.c.v administration of APN. In accordance with the olfactory impairment observed in i.c.v Aβ-treated rats, we observed a decrease in NeuN expressing cells in the glomerular layer of the OB, which was also prevented with the i.c.v APN. Furthermore, we observed an increase of Iba-1 cells in CA1, and DG in the HIPP of the Aβ rats, which was prevented by the APN treatment. Conclusion The present study describes the olfactory impairment of Aβ treated rats and evidences the protective role that APN plays in the brain, by preventing the olfactory impairment induced by Aβ1–42. These results may lead to APN-based pharmacological therapies aimed to ameliorate AD neurotoxic effects.

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Minerals Intake Distributions in a Large Sample of Iranian at-Risk Population Using the National Cancer Institute Method: Do They Meet Their Requirements?

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000232 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 85 (3-4) ◽

pp. 129-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zahra Heidari ◽

Awat Feizi ◽

Leila Azadbakht ◽

Nizal Sarrafzadegan

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

National Cancer Institute ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Function ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nutritional Interventions ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract. Background: Minerals are required for the body’s normal function. Aim: The current study assessed the intake distribution of minerals and estimated the prevalence of inadequacy and excess among a representative sample of healthy middle aged and elderly Iranian people. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the second follow up to the Isfahan Cohort Study (ICS), 1922 generally healthy people aged 40 and older were investigated. Dietary intakes were collected using 24 hour recalls and two or more consecutive food records. Distribution of minerals intake was estimated using traditional (averaging dietary intake days) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods, and the results obtained from the two methods, were compared. The prevalence of minerals intake inadequacy or excess was estimated using the estimated average requirement (EAR) cut-point method, the probability approach and the tolerable upper intake levels (UL). Results: There were remarkable differences between values obtained using traditional and NCI methods, particularly in the lower and upper percentiles of the estimated intake distributions. A high prevalence of inadequacy of magnesium (50 - 100 %), calcium (21 - 93 %) and zinc (30 - 55 % for males > 50 years) was observed. Significant gender differences were found regarding inadequate intakes of calcium (21 - 76 % for males vs. 45 - 93 % for females), magnesium (92 % vs. 100 %), iron (0 vs. 15 % for age group 40 - 50 years) and zinc (29 - 55 % vs. 0 %) (all; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Severely imbalanced intakes of magnesium, calcium and zinc were observed among the middle-aged and elderly Iranian population. Nutritional interventions and population-based education to improve healthy diets among the studied population at risk are needed.

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The Mediating Effect of Middle-aged and Elderly Adults' Positive and Negative Emotions and Self Efficacy on Physical Activity

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e631452013-120 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

Wei-chih Liao ◽

Yi-hsiang Chen ◽

Jen-hsien Chiu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Elderly Adults ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Positive And Negative Emotions

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Olfactory dysfunction, central cholinergic integrity and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.4324963.4144062 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Daniela Perani

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction

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Effects of COVID-19 on Sense of Smell: Human Factors/Ergonomics Considerations

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720821990162 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 001872082199016

Author(s):

E. Leslie Cameron ◽

Per Møller ◽

Keith S. Karn

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

System Communication ◽

Human System ◽

Sense Of Smell ◽

Primary Means ◽

Human Sense ◽

Smell Loss

Objective We review the effects of COVID-19 on the human sense of smell (olfaction) and discuss implications for human-system interactions. We emphasize how critical smell is and how the widespread loss of smell due to COVID-19 will impact human-system interaction. Background COVID-19 reduces the sense of smell in people who contract the disease. Thus far, olfaction has received relatively little attention from human factors/ergonomics professionals. While smell is not a primary means of human-system communication, humans rely on smell in many important ways related to both quality of life and safety. Method We briefly review and synthesize the rapidly expanding literature through September 2020 on the topic of smell loss caused by COVID-19. We interpret findings in terms of their relevance to human factors/ergonomics researchers and practitioners. Results Since March 2020 dozens of articles have been published that report smell loss in COVID-19 patients. The prevalence and duration of COVID-19-related smell loss is still under investigation, but the available data suggest that it may leave many people with long-term deficits and distortions in sense of smell. Conclusion We suggest that the human factors/ergonomics community could become more aware of the importance of the sense of smell and focus on accommodating the increasing number of people with reduced olfactory performance. Application We present examples of how olfaction can augment human-system communication and how human factors/ergonomics professionals might accommodate people with olfactory dysfunction. While seemingly at odds, both of these goals can be achieved.

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Hydrolyzed Chicken Meat Extract Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in Middle-Aged Mouse by Regulating M1/M2 Microglial Polarization

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry ◽

10.1021/acs.jafc.1c03541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 69 (34) ◽

pp. 9800-9812

Author(s):

Liyang Ni ◽

Fen Zhuge ◽

Song Yang ◽

Lingyan Ma ◽

Aqian Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Chicken Meat ◽

Aged Mouse ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Meat Extract ◽

Microglial Polarization

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Postinfectious Olfactory Dysfunction: Oral Steroids and Olfactory Training versus Olfactory Training Alone: Is There any Benefit from Steroids?

ORL ◽

10.1159/000516316 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sotiria Genetzaki ◽

Evangelia Tsakiropoulou ◽

Vasilios Nikolaidis ◽

Konstantinos Markou ◽

Iordanis Konstantinidis

Keyword(s):

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Olfactory Function ◽

Line Treatment ◽

First Line ◽

Olfactory Testing ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Oral Steroids ◽

Group A ◽

Olfactory Training ◽

First Line Treatment

Introduction: There are limited treatment options for postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (PIOD). Olfactory training has recently been used in clinical practice, but no medical treatment is widely accepted. Although there is weak evidence for their value, some physicians use oral corticosteroids as first-line treatment. The aim of this study was to compare combined oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training with olfactory training alone in the management of PIOD. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 131 patients with PIOD over a 2-year period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventy-eight patients who were treated with oral methylprednisolone and olfactory training (group A) were compared with 53 patients who were treated with olfactory training only (group B). Olfactory function was evaluated with “Sniffin’ Sticks” at baseline and 2, 8, and 16 weeks after initial assessment. Patients who improved after steroid treatment underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the paranasal sinuses, skin prick tests, lung spirometry, and sputum eosinophil assessment. Results: Oral steroids improved 19.23% of patients (n = 15) of group A. History, clinical evaluation, imaging, and laboratory tests identified an inflammatory background in half of them (n = 8). The remaining 7 had no findings of nasal inflammation, and all had a short history of olfactory dysfunction. Both groups significantly improved in olfactory testing results at the end of the olfactory training scheme without significant difference between them. Conclusions: The percentage of improved patients after oral methylprednisolone was relatively low to suggest it as first-line treatment. Half of the improved patients had an underlying upper airway inflammatory condition not related to the infection that caused the acute loss of olfactory function.

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Association of Olfactory and Pulmonary Function in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10071535 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1535

Author(s):

Ji-Sun Kim ◽

Jun-Ook Park ◽

Dong-Hyun Lee ◽

Ki-Hong Chang ◽

Byung Guk Kim

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

National Health ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Forced Expiratory Volume ◽

Olfactory Dysfunction ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Olfactory Testing

Objectives: To identify the relationship between pulmonary function and subjective olfactory dysfunction in middle-aged and older adults. Materials and Methods: We used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2012 to analyze 6191 participants in their 50s or older. Results: The frequency of olfactory dysfunction was 6.8% among the subjects with normal pulmonary function tests, but was significantly more frequent in those diagnosed with restrictive (9.6%) or obstructive (10.1%) pulmonary function. Forced volume vital capacity, forced expiratory volume (FEV)1, FEV6, and peak expiratory flow were significantly lower in the olfactory dysfunction group. The risk of olfactory dysfunction was significantly associated with obstructive pulmonary function (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.449 [1.010–2.081]) after adjusting for confounders (sex, rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, education level, stress, depressed mood, and suicidal ideation). Conclusion: Middle-aged and older adults with obstructive pulmonary function had a higher incidence of subjective olfactory dysfunction than the normal pulmonary function group. Early olfactory testing may improve the quality of life of patients with obstructive pulmonary function.

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