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Odor identification in Alzheimer’s disease and depression

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Abstract

Background and aims: In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) olfactory deficits are common and depression is a difficult differential diagnosis. We therefore investigated the usefulness of an odor identification test to differentiate both conditions. Methods: Twenty patients with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD), twenty elderly patients with a depressive disorder, and thirty healthy elderly subjects performed a German odor identification test. Results: AD patients had significantly lower odor identification scores, compared with both depressive patients and control subjects (F=121.96, df=2, 67, p<0.001). With a cut-off score of 10/11, the sensitivity of the identification test to differentiate AD patients from depressive patients was 100%, and specificity was 95%. Conclusions: The odor identification test used in this study is able to reveal olfactory deficits in AD. It also seems to be a useful instrument to differentiate AD from depression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Practice, University Medical Center, Moorenstr. 5, Building 14.97, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Michael Pentzek

  2. Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Düsseldorf

    Brigitte Grass-Kapanke

  3. Clinic for Geriatric Psychiatry, Alexianer Hospital, Krefeld, Germany

    Ralf Ihl

Authors
  1. Michael Pentzek
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  2. Brigitte Grass-Kapanke
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  3. Ralf Ihl
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Correspondence to Michael Pentzek.

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Pentzek, M., Grass-Kapanke, B. & Ihl, R. Odor identification in Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Aging Clin Exp Res 19, 255–258 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324698

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324698

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