Combining olfaction and cognition measures to screen for mild cognitive impairment

PURPOSE This exploratory study examined the relationship between performance on the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) to identify a possible association between olfaction and mild cognitive impairment(MCI). DESIGN AND METHODS 54 community-dwelling older (ages 49-91) volunteers were given the UPSIT and ACE. RESULTS The ACE identified 7 subjects (13%) who had probable MCI. UPSIT total scores were significantly related to ACE total scores (r = 0.37, p = 0.005). Four specific odorants (mint, lime, chocolate, and cheddar cheese) from the UPSIT identified 4 of the 7 (57.1%) probable MCI subjects. The prevalence rate of MCI in subjects over 65 was 19.4%. IMPLICATIONS Selective odorants in UPSIT used with ACE show promise as a non-invasive method of detecting MCI in community dwelling elders. Detection of MCI could facilitate earlier interventions and treatment of dementia.