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Olfactory Dysfunction Discriminates Alzheimer's Dementia From Major Depression

Received November 25, 1996; revised February 20, 1997; accepted March 4, 1997. From Psychiatric Consultants, P.C., Nashville, Tennessee. Address correspondence to Dr. Solomon, 310 25th Avenue North, Suite 309, Nashville, TN 37203.

This study tested the hypothesis that olfactory dysfunction could discriminate between groups of patients with Alzheimer's disease and major depression. Forty patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for Alzheimer's disease and for major depression (20 per group) underwent assessment with the Pocket Smell Test (PST), a three-item screening measure of cranial nerve I function. A PST score of 1 (1 or 0 correct) discriminated between the groups with a hit rate of 90% (sensitivity=80%, specificity=100%). Olfactory assessment may be a useful adjunctive screening measure in differentiating Alzheimer's disease from depression in elderly patients.

Key Words: Anosmia • Alzheimer's Disease • Depression

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				K. Duff, R. J. McCaffrey, and G. S. Solomon The Pocket Smell Test: Successfully Discriminating Probable Alzheimer's Dementia From Vascular Dementia and Major Depression J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, May 1, 2002; 14(2): 197 - 201. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. J. Brewer, C. Pantelis, V. Anderson, D. Velakoulis, B. Singh, D. L. Copolov, and P. D. McGorry Stability of Olfactory Identification Deficits in Neuroleptic-Naive Patients With First-Episode Psychosis Am J Psychiatry, January 1, 2001; 158(1): 107 - 115. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. J. McCaffrey, K. Duff, and G. S. Solomon Olfactory Dysfunction Discriminates Probable Alzheimer's Dementia From Major Depression: A Cross-Validation and Extension J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, February 1, 2000; 12(1): 29 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text]

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