Application of a Proposed Test for Alzheimer's Disease to Investigate Olfaction in the Human Anatomy Laboratory

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2018, Volume 39

Karen A. McMahon

Abstract

Stamps et al. (2013) described a simple olfactory test to identify patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. Previous studies have shown that the olfactory cortex, especially in the left hemisphere, is impaired early in the onset of Alzheimer's Disease resulting in a marked inability to identify familiar odors (such as peanut butter) and an asymmetry ( > 4 cm) in odor detection distances between the nostrils. This report inspired an investigative lab exercise for the Human Anatomy Laboratory. Students hypothesized that: • Mean odor detection distances would be symmetrical for both nostrils • Male students would have lower mean olfactory detection distances than female students Overall for the three trials, the mean odor detection distances for males were: left nostril = 13.14 +/- 8.07cm and right nostril = 14.03 +/- 7.56 cm with the mean left-right detection difference = -0.89 +/- 5.86cm. In females, mean odor detection distances were: left nostril = 14.16 +/- 7.84cm and right = 14.17 +/- 8.98cm with mean left-right detection difference = -0.01 +/-7.92. In the college student trials, males had slightly lower mean odor detection distances for both nostrils and exhibited a greater left – right asymmetry than females. In the high school student group, males detected odors at slightly greater detection distances for both nostrils but also showed slightly greater asymmetry than females students. Two college female subjects were unable to detect the odor of peanut butter at all with one nostril – right nostril for one and left nostril for the other student.

Keywords:  olfaction, odor detection distances, Alzheimer's Disease

University of Wisconsin, Madison (2017)