Journal
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Volume 88, Issue 2, Pages 743-755Publisher
IOS PRESS
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220248
Keywords
Cortical thickness; hippocampus; mild cognitive impairment; olfactory bulb; olfactory training
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [82101508]
- Dr Robert Pfleger Stiftung
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Olfactory training has a positive effect on olfactory and cognitive function in MCI patients by increasing cortical thickness of the hippocampus, suggesting it as an effective intervention in preventing hippocampal atrophy.
Background: The olfactory system is affected early in Alzheimer's disease and olfactory loss can already be observed in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Olfactory training is effective for improving olfactory and cognitive function by stimulating the olfactory pathway, but its effect on patients with MCI remains unclear. Objective: The aim of this randomized, prospective, controlled, blinded study was to assess whether a 4-month period of olfactory training (frequent short-term sniffing various odors) may have an effect on olfactory function, cognitive function, and morphology of medial temporal lobe (MTL) subregions and olfactory bulb in MCI patients. Methods: A total of thirty-seven MCI patients were randomly assigned to the training group or a placebo group, which were performed twice a day for 4 months. Olfactory assessments, cognitive tests and magnetic resonance imaging were performed at the baseline and follow-up period. Results: After the training, there was an increase in odor discrimination, and increased cortical thickness of bilateral hippocampus (CA23DG and CA1) and mean MTL. Additionally, the change of olfactory score was positively associated with change of volume of olfactory bulb and hippocampus; the change of global cognition was positively associated with change of cortical thickness of hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and mean MTL; the change of cortical thickness of entorhinal cortex was positively associated with change of executive function. Conclusion: Olfactory training was associated with an increase in cortical thickness of the hippocampus but not olfactory bulb volume in patients with MCI. Olfactory training may serve as an early intervention of preventing hippocampal atrophy.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available