PubMed ID: 23789858
Author(s): Schubert CR, Cruickshanks KJ, Fischer ME, Huang GH, Klein R, Pankratz N, Zhong W, Nondahl DM. Odor identification and cognitive function in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2013;35(7):669-76. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2013.809701. Epub 2013 Jun 21. PMID 23789858
Journal: Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Neuropsychology, Volume 35, Issue 7, 2013
Olfactory impairment is associated with cognitive impairment in older adults but less is known about the association of olfactory impairment and cognitive function in middle-aged adults. The association between olfactory impairment and cognitive function tests of attention, processing speed, and executive and psychomotor function was explored in 2837 participants (21-84 years; mean age 49 years) in the Beaver Dam Offspring Study. Among middle-aged participants (aged 35-64 years), those with impairment on an odor identification test took significantly longer to complete the Trail Making Test (TMT-A and TMT-B) and the Grooved Peg Board (GPB) test, than those without olfactory impairment in regression models adjusted for multiple factors. Similar results were found for the TMT-A and TMT-B, but not the GPB, in the whole cohort. Olfactory impairment was associated with poorer performance on cognitive function tests in a primarily middle-aged cohort.