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Khodanovich M, Naumova A, Kamaeva D, Obukhovskaya V, Vasilieva S, Schastnyy E, Kataeva N, Levina A, Kudabaeva M, Pashkevich V, Moshkina M, Tumentceva Y, Svetlik M. Neurocognitive Changes in Patients with Post-COVID Depression. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1442. [PMID: 38592295 PMCID: PMC10933987 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Depression and cognitive impairment are recognized complications of COVID-19. This study aimed to assess cognitive performance in clinically diagnosed post-COVID depression (PCD, n = 25) patients using neuropsychological testing. Methods: The study involved 71 post-COVID patients with matched control groups: recovered COVID-19 individuals without complications (n = 18) and individuals without prior COVID-19 history (n = 19). A post-COVID depression group (PCD, n = 25) was identified based on psychiatric diagnosis, and a comparison group (noPCD, n = 46) included participants with neurological COVID-19 complications, excluding clinical depression. Results: The PCD patients showed gender-dependent significant cognitive impairment in the MoCA, Word Memory Test (WMT), Stroop task (SCWT), and Trail Making Test (TMT) compared to the controls and noPCD patients. Men with PCD showed worse performances on the SCWT, in MoCA attention score, and on the WMT (immediate and delayed word recall), while women with PCD showed a decline in MoCA total score, an increased processing time with less errors on the TMT, and worse immediate recall. No differences between groups in Sniffin's stick test were found. Conclusions: COVID-related direct (post-COVID symptoms) and depression-mediated (depression itself, male sex, and severity of COVID-19) predictors of decline in memory and information processing speed were identified. Our findings may help to personalize the treatment of depression, taking a patient's gender and severity of previous COVID-19 disease into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Khodanovich
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Anna Naumova
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, South Lake Union Campus, University of Washington, 850 Republican Street, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
| | - Daria Kamaeva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Aleutskaya Street, Tomsk 634014, Russia
| | - Victoria Obukhovskaya
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
- Department of Fundamental Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, Siberian State Medical University, 2 Moskovskiy Trakt, Tomsk 6340505, Russia
| | - Svetlana Vasilieva
- Department of Affective States, Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Aleutskaya Street, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (S.V.); (E.S.)
| | - Evgeny Schastnyy
- Department of Affective States, Mental Health Research Institute, Tomsk National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Aleutskaya Street, Tomsk 634014, Russia; (S.V.); (E.S.)
| | - Nadezhda Kataeva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Siberian State Medical University, 2 Moskovskiy Trakt, Tomsk 6340505, Russia
| | - Anastasia Levina
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
- Medica Diagnostic and Treatment Center, 86 Sovetskaya Street, Tomsk 634510, Russia
| | - Marina Kudabaeva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Valentina Pashkevich
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Marina Moshkina
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Yana Tumentceva
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
| | - Mikhail Svetlik
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenina Ave., Tomsk 634050, Russia; (D.K.); (V.O.); (N.K.); (A.L.); (M.K.); (V.P.); (M.M.); (Y.T.); (M.S.)
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Schepens EJA, Boek WM, Boesveldt S, Stokroos RJ, Stegeman I, Kamalski DMA. One-year psychophysical evaluation of COVID-19-induced olfactory disorders: a prospective cohort study. BMC Med 2023; 21:490. [PMID: 38066629 PMCID: PMC10709885 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfactory disorders are common in COVID-19. While many patients recover within weeks, a notable number of patients suffer from prolonged olfactory disorders. Much research has focused on the acute phase of olfactory disorders in COVID-19; however, there is still inconsistency regarding the prognosis. We aim to assess both objective and subjective olfactory function in patients with persisting olfactory disorders following COVID-19, 1 year after diagnosis. METHODS We objectively measured olfactory function in 77 patients who initially had COVID-19-induced smell disorders, 1 year after confirmed diagnosis. These patients previously underwent two objective measurements at approximately 3 and 6 months after COVID-19, in the context of the COCOS trial (COrticosteroids for COvid-19-induced loss of Smell). The main outcome measurement was TDI score (threshold-discrimination-identification) on Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST). Secondary outcomes included objective gustatory function on Taste Strip Test (TST), self-reported olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal function on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and outcomes on questionnaires about quality of life, and nasal symptoms. RESULTS The findings of this study show that 1 year following COVID-19, the median TDI score increased to 30.75 (IQR 27.38-33.5), regarded as normosmia. The median TDI score started at 21.25 (IQR 18.25-24.75) at baseline and increased to 27.5 (IQR 23.63-30.0) at 6 months following COVID-19. The increase of 9.5 points on the TDI score between baseline and 1 year after COVID-19 marks a clinically relevant improvement. Regarding the self-reported VAS score (1-10) on sense of smell, it increased from 1.2 (IQR 0.4-3.0) at baseline to 3.2 (IQR 1.4-6.0) at 6 months and further improved up to 6.1 (IQR 2.7-7.5) after 1 year. Objective gustatory function increased with 2 points on TST a year after diagnosis. Self-reported olfactory, gustatory, and trigeminal functions also improved over time, as did quality of life. CONCLUSIONS Objective and self-reported olfactory function continued to improve 1 year after COVID-19. The median TDI score of 30.75 (IQR 27.38-33.5) is regarded as normosmia, which is a favorable outcome. However, the rate of improvement on TDI score reduces over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J A Schepens
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands.
- Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Wilbert M Boek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Hospital Gelderse Vallei, Ede, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Boesveldt
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J Stokroos
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Stegeman
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Digna M A Kamalski
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands
- Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Boscolo-Rizzo P, Hummel T, Invitto S, Spinato G, Tomasoni M, Emanuelli E, Tofanelli M, Cavicchia A, Grill V, Vaira LA, Lechien JR, Borsetto D, Polesel J, Dibattista M, Menini A, Hopkins C, Tirelli G. Psychophysical assessment of olfactory and gustatory function in post-mild COVID-19 patients: A matched case-control study with 2-year follow-up. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2023; 13:1864-1875. [PMID: 36852674 DOI: 10.1002/alr.23148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to psychophysically evaluate the prevalence of smell and taste dysfunction 2 years after mildly symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection compared to that observed at 1-year follow-up and while considering the background of chemosensory dysfunction in the no-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) population. METHOD This is a prospective case-control study on 93 patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection and 93 matched controls. Self-reported olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was assessed by 22-item Sino-Nasal-Outcome Test (SNOT-22), item "Sense of smell or taste." Psychophysical orthonasal and retronasal olfactory function and gustatory performance were estimated using the extended Sniffin' Sticks test battery, 20 powdered tasteless aromas, and taste strips test, respectively. Nasal trigeminal sensitivity was assessed by sniffing a 70% solution of acetic acid. RESULTS The two psychophysical assessments of chemosensory function took place after a median of 409 days (range, 366-461 days) and 765 days (range, 739-800 days) from the first SARS-CoV-2-positive swab, respectively. At 2-year follow-up, cases exhibited a decrease in the prevalence of olfactory (27.9% vs. 42.0%; absolute difference, -14.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -21.8% to -2.6%; p = 0.016) and gustatory dysfunction (14.0% vs. 25.8%; absolute difference, -11.8%; 95% CI, -24.2% to 0.6%; p = 0.098). Subjects with prior COVID-19 were more likely than controls to have an olfactory dysfunction (27.9% vs. 10.8 %; absolute difference, 17.2%; 95% CI, 5.2% to 28.8%) but not gustatory dysfunction (14.0% vs. 9.7%; absolute difference, 4.3%; 95% CI, -5.8% to 14.4% p = 0.496) still 2 years after the infection. Overall, 3.2% of cases were still anosmic 2 years after the infection. CONCLUSIONS Although a proportion of subjects recovered from long-lasting smell/taste dysfunction more than 1 year after COVID-19, cases still exhibited a significant excess of olfactory dysfunction 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection when compared to matched controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sara Invitto
- INSPIRE LAB-Laboratory of Cognitive and Psychophysiological Olfactory Processes, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Giacomo Spinato
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Treviso, Italy
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Azienda Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria 2-Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Michele Tomasoni
- Unit of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Enzo Emanuelli
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Azienda Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria 2-Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Margherita Tofanelli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Cavicchia
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Vittorio Grill
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luigi Angelo Vaira
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, Maxillofacial Surgery Operative Unit, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Jerome R Lechien
- Department of Anatomy and Experimental Oncology, Mons School of Medicine, UMONS. Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, University of Mons (UMons), Mons, Belgium
| | - Daniele Borsetto
- Department of ENT, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jerry Polesel
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico di Aviano (CRO) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Aviano, Italy
| | - Michele Dibattista
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari A. Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Menini
- Neurobiology Group, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Claire Hopkins
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Giancarlo Tirelli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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Wu D, Su B, Jiang X, Liu Y. A tool developed for Chinese olfactory screening: culturally adapted version of "Quick olfactory Sniffin' Sticks Test (Q-Sticks)". Acta Otolaryngol 2023; 143:887-893. [PMID: 37991166 DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2023.2282730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The odor identification test is culture-dependent. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to develop a culturally adapted version of the 5-item Quick olfactory Sniffin' Sticks Test (Q-Stick) to adapt to the clinical environment in China. METHODS The study included 3 phases: (1) develop a culturally adapted version of Q-Stick by replacing unfamiliar odors in the original Q-Stick test (N = 344); (2) validate the culturally adapted version of Q-Stick against two widely used olfactory tests: the Sniffin' Sticks olfactory test and the 12-item Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test (CC-SIT) (N = 286); 3) evaluate the test-retest reliability of the culturally adapted version of Q-Stick (N = 60). RESULTS After modification of the interference items, the correct recognition rate of leather was changed from 54.65% to 90.00%. The adapted version of the Q-Stick score significantly correlated with both the Sniffin' Sticks score (r = 0.7642, p < .0001) and CC-SIT score (r = 0.7403, p < .0001). Normal olfaction is indicated if the culturally adapted version of the Q-Stick score > 4 (specificity 70.00%, sensitivity 83.33%, Youden index 0.533) and Q-Stick score ≤ 4 indicates olfactory dysfunction. The 3-month test-retest reliability coefficient was as high as 0.96. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE The culturally adapted version of Q-Stick is an effective and stable screening tool to identify patients with olfactory dysfunction in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, PR China
| | - Baihan Su
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin, PR China
| | - Xincen Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuxing Liu
- Department of Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, PR China
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Levesque-Boissonneault C, Bussière N, Roy-Côté F, Cloutier F, Caty MÈ, Frasnelli J. A quick test to objectify smell and taste dysfunction at home: a proof of concept for the validation of the chemosensory perception test. Chem Senses 2023; 48:bjad033. [PMID: 37586396 PMCID: PMC10746307 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown the efficacy of a home test for the self-evaluation of olfactory and gustatory functions in quarantined coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, testing was often limited to COVID-19 participants, and the accuracy of home test kits was rarely compared to standardized testing. This study aims at providing proof of concept for the validation of the new Chemosensory Perception Test (CPT) developed to remotely assess orthonasal olfactory, retronasal olfactory, and gustatory functions in various populations using common North American household items. In the 2 experiments, a total of 121 participants irrespective of having olfactory and/or gustatory complaints from various causes (COVID-19, sinunasal, post-viral, idiopathic) were tested first, with one or many of the following tests: (i) a brief chemosensory questionnaire, (ii) an olfactory test-Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST) or University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), and/or (iii) a gustatory test-Brief Waterless Empirical Taste Test (B-WETT). We then applied the CPT which yielded 3 different subscores, namely orthonasal, retronasal, and gustatory CPT scores. The orthonasal CPT score was significantly correlated with SST (ρ = 0.837, P < 0.001) and UPSIT (ρ = 0.364, P < 0.001) scores, and exhibited an excellent accuracy to identify olfactory dysfunction (OD) as compared to SST (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.923 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.822-1.000], P < 0.001). The retronasal CPT score but not the gustatory CPT score allowed to distinguish between participants with or without subjective gustatory complaint (AUC: 0.818 [95% CI, 0.726-0.909], P < 0.001). The CPT has the ability to identify OD and to quantify subjective gustatory complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Levesque-Boissonneault
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Nicholas Bussière
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Faculty of medicine, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédérique Roy-Côté
- Research Center of the Sacré-Cœur hospital, CIUSSS Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frank Cloutier
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Caty
- Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
| | - Johannes Frasnelli
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
- Research Center of the Sacré-Cœur hospital, CIUSSS Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, Marks SS, Toskala AK, Herriman RD, Lin C, Joseph PV, Reed DR. Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chem Senses 2023; 48:bjad043. [PMID: 38100383 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjad043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemosensory scientists have been skeptical that reports of COVID-19 taste loss are genuine, in part because before COVID-19 taste loss was rare and often confused with smell loss. Therefore, to establish the predicted prevalence rate of taste loss in COVID-19 patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 376 papers published in 2020-2021, with 235 meeting all inclusion criteria. Drawing on previous studies and guided by early meta-analyses, we explored how methodological differences (direct vs. self-report measures) may affect these estimates. We hypothesized that direct measures of taste are at least as sensitive as those obtained by self-report and that the preponderance of evidence confirms taste loss is a symptom of COVID-19. The meta-analysis showed that, among 138,015 COVID-19-positive patients, 36.62% reported taste dysfunction (95% confidence interval: 33.02%-40.39%), and the prevalence estimates were slightly but not significantly higher from studies using direct (n = 15) versus self-report (n = 220) methodologies (Q = 1.73, df = 1, P = 0.1889). Generally, males reported lower rates of taste loss than did females, and taste loss was highest among middle-aged adults. Thus, taste loss is likely a bona fide symptom of COVID-19, meriting further research into the most appropriate direct methods to measure it and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie E Hannum
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Riley J Koch
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Vicente A Ramirez
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95348, USA
| | - Sarah S Marks
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Aurora K Toskala
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Riley D Herriman
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Cailu Lin
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Paule V Joseph
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Danielle R Reed
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
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Wei G, Gu J, Gu Z, Du C, Huang X, Xing H, Li L, Zhang A, Hu X, Huo J. Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Review. Front Neurol 2022; 12:783249. [PMID: 35115994 PMCID: PMC8805677 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.783249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is wreaking havoc on public-health and economic systems worldwide. Among the several neurological symptoms of patients with COVID-19 reported in clinical practice, olfactory dysfunction (OD) is the most common. OD occurs as the earliest or the only clinical manifestation in some patients. Increasing research attention has focused on OD, which is listed as one of the main diagnostic symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection. Multiple clinical and basic-science studies on COVID-19-induced OD are underway to clarify the underlying mechanism of action. In this review, we summarize the clinical characteristics, mechanisms, evaluation methods, prognosis, and treatment options of COVID-19-induced OD. In this way, we hope to improve the understanding of COVID-19-induced OD to aid early identification and precise intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoli Wei
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Lishui District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Department of Oncology, Yangzhou University Medical College, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jialin Gu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The Third Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhancheng Gu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The Third Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng Du
- Affiliated Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofei Huang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- The Third Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Xing
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lingchang Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Aiping Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xingxing Hu
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Lishui District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Department of Oncology, Yangzhou University Medical College, Yangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xingxing Hu
| | - Jiege Huo
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiege Huo
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8
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Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, Marks SS, Toskala AK, Herriman RD, Lin C, Joseph PV, Reed DR. Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chem Senses 2022; 47:bjac001. [PMID: 35171979 PMCID: PMC8849313 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemosensory scientists have been skeptical that reports of COVID-19 taste loss are genuine, in part because before COVID-19 taste loss was rare and often confused with smell loss. Therefore, to establish the predicted prevalence rate of taste loss in COVID-19 patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 376 papers published in 2020-2021, with 241 meeting all inclusion criteria. Drawing on previous studies and guided by early meta-analyses, we explored how methodological differences (direct vs. self-report measures) may affect these estimates. We hypothesized that direct measures of taste are at least as sensitive as those obtained by self-report and that the preponderance of evidence confirms taste loss is a symptom of COVID-19. The meta-analysis showed that, among 138,897 COVID-19-positive patients, 39.2% reported taste dysfunction (95% confidence interval: 35.34%-43.12%), and the prevalence estimates were slightly but not significantly higher from studies using direct (n = 18) versus self-report (n = 223) methodologies (Q = 0.57, df = 1, P = 0.45). Generally, males reported lower rates of taste loss than did females, and taste loss was highest among middle-aged adults. Thus, taste loss is likely a bona fide symptom of COVID-19, meriting further research into the most appropriate direct methods to measure it and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie E Hannum
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Riley J Koch
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Vicente A Ramirez
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95348, USA
| | - Sarah S Marks
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Aurora K Toskala
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Riley D Herriman
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Cailu Lin
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
| | - Paule V Joseph
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Danielle R Reed
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104, USA
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Schambeck SE, Crowell CS, Wagner KI, D’Ippolito E, Burrell T, Mijočević H, Protzer U, Busch DH, Gerhard M, Poppert H, Beyer H. Phantosmia, Parosmia, and Dysgeusia Are Prolonged and Late-Onset Symptoms of COVID-19. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225266. [PMID: 34830550 PMCID: PMC8618742 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiencies in smell and taste are common symptoms of COVID-19. Quantitative losses are well surveyed. This study focuses on qualitative changes such as phantosmia (hallucination of smell), parosmia (alteration of smell), and dysgeusia (alteration of taste) and possible connections with the adaptive immune system. Subjective experience of deficiency in taste and smell was assessed by two different questionnaires after a median of 100 and 244 days after first positive RT-PCR test. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels were measured with the iFlash-SARS-CoV-2 assay. After 100 days a psychophysical screening test for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction was administered. 30 of 44 (68.2%) participants reported a chemosensory dysfunction (14 quantitative, 6 qualitative, 10 quantitative, and qualitative) during COVID-19, eleven (25.0%) participants (1 quantitative, 7 qualitative, 3 quantitative, and quantity) after 100 days, and 14 (31.8%) participants (1 quantitative, 10 qualitative, 3 quantitative and qualitative) after 244 days. Four (9.1%) participants, who were symptom-free after 100 days reported now recently arisen qualitative changes. Serological and T-cell analysis showed no correlation with impairment of taste and smell. In conclusion, qualitative changes can persist for several months and occur as late-onset symptoms months after full recovery from COVID-19-induced quantitative losses in taste and smell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia E. Schambeck
- Helios Klinikum München West, Steinerweg 5, 81241 München, Germany; (H.P.); (H.B.)
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Claudia S. Crowell
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Karolin I. Wagner
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Elvira D’Ippolito
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Teresa Burrell
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Hrvoje Mijočević
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany;
| | - Ulrike Protzer
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany;
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Markus Gerhard
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Trogerstr. 30, 81675 München, Germany; (C.S.C.); (K.I.W.); (E.D.); (T.B.); (D.H.B.); (M.G.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
| | - Holger Poppert
- Helios Klinikum München West, Steinerweg 5, 81241 München, Germany; (H.P.); (H.B.)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie im Neuro-Kopf-Zentrum, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Henriette Beyer
- Helios Klinikum München West, Steinerweg 5, 81241 München, Germany; (H.P.); (H.B.)
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Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, Marks SS, Toskala AK, Herriman RD, Lin C, Joseph PV, Reed DR. Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. medRxiv 2021:2021.10.09.21264771. [PMID: 34671775 PMCID: PMC8528083 DOI: 10.1101/2021.10.09.21264771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Chemosensory scientists have been skeptical that reports of COVID-19 taste loss are genuine, in part because before COVID-19, taste loss was rare and often confused with smell loss. Therefore, to establish the predicted prevalence rate of taste loss in COVID-19 patients, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 376 papers published in 2020-2021, with 241 meeting all inclusion criteria. Additionally, we explored how methodological differences (direct vs. self-report measures) may affect these estimates. We hypothesized that direct prevalence measures of taste loss would be the most valid because they avoid the taste/smell confusion of self-report. The meta-analysis showed that, among 138,897 COVID-19-positive patients, 39.2% reported taste dysfunction (95% CI: 35.34-43.12%), and the prevalence estimates were slightly but not significantly higher from studies using direct (n = 18) versus self-report (n = 223) methodologies (Q = 0.57, df = 1, p = 0.45). Generally, males reported lower rates of taste loss than did females and taste loss was highest in middle-aged groups. Thus, taste loss is a bona fide symptom COVID-19, meriting further research into the most appropriate direct methods to measure it and its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riley J Koch
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Vicente A Ramirez
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
- Department of Public Health, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95348
| | - Sarah S Marks
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Aurora K Toskala
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Riley D Herriman
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Cailu Lin
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
| | - Paule V Joseph
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Danielle R Reed
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19104
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Nettore IC, Cantone E, Palatucci G, Franchini F, Maturi R, Nerilli M, Manzillo E, Foggia M, Maione L, Ungaro P, Colao A, Macchia PE. Quantitative but not qualitative flavor recognition impairments in COVID-19 patients. Ir J Med Sci 2021. [PMID: 34562193 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02786-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Smell and taste dysfunctions (STDs) are symptoms associated with COVID-19 syndrome, even if their incidence is still uncertain and variable. Aims In this study, the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on chemosensory function have been investigated using both a self-reporting questionnaire on smell and flavor perception, and a simplified flavor test. Methods A total of 111 subjects (19 hospitalized [HOS] and 37 home-isolated [HI] COVID-19 patients, and 55 healthy controls [CTRL]) were enrolled in the study. They received a self-evaluation questionnaire and a self-administered flavor test kit. The flavor test used consists in the self-administration of four solutions with a pure olfactory stimulus (coffee), a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulus (peppermint), and a complex chemical mixture (banana). Results After SARS-CoV-2 infection, HOS and HI patients reported similar prevalence of STDs, with a significant reduction of both smell and flavor self-estimated perception. The aromas of the flavor test were recognized by HI and HOS COVID-19 patients similarly to CTRL; however, the intensity of the perceived aromas was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. Conclusion Data reported here suggests that a chemosensory impairment is present after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the modified “flavor test” could be a novel self-administering objective screening test to assess STDs in COVID-19 patients. Clinical trial registration no. NCT04840966; April 12, 2021, retrospectively registered Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11845-021-02786-x.
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Walsh-Messinger J, Kaouk S, Manis H, Kaye R, Cecchi G, Meyer P, Malaspina D. Impairments in odour detection and hedonic ratings of unpleasant smells in asymptomatic university students as SARS-Cov-2 emerged locally. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 54:6256-6266. [PMID: 34424569 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Sudden olfactory loss in the absence of concurrent nasal congestion is now a well-recognized symptom of COVID-19. We examined olfaction using standardized objective tests of odour detection, identification and hedonics collected from asymptomatic university students before and as SARS-CoV-2 emerged locally. Olfactory performance of students who were tested when the virus is known to be endemic (n = 22) was compared to students tested in the month prior to viral circulation (n = 25), a normative sample assessed during the previous 4 years (n = 272) and those tested in prior years during the same time period. Analyses showed significantly reduced odour detection for the virus exposed cohort compared to students tested before (t = 2.60; P = .01; d = 0.77; CI 0.17, 1.36) and to the normative sample (D = 0.38; P = .005). Odour identification scores were similar, but the exposed cohort rated odours as less unpleasant (P < .001, CLES = 0.77). Hyposmia increased 4.4-fold for students tested 2 weeks before school closure (N = 22) and increased 13.6-fold for students tested in the final week (N = 11). While the unavailability of COVID-19 testing is a limitation, this naturalistic study demonstrates week-by-week increase in hyposmia in asymptomatic students as a virus was circulating on campus, consistent with increasing airborne viral loads. The specific hedonic deficit in unpleasantness appraisal suggests a deficit in the TAAR olfactory receptor class, which conveys the social salience of odours. Assessment of odour detection and hedonic ratings may aid in early detection of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Walsh-Messinger
- Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Sahar Kaouk
- Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Hannah Manis
- Department of Psychology, University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Rachel Kaye
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Guillermo Cecchi
- Computational Psychiatry and Neuroimaging, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York, USA
| | - Pablo Meyer
- Biomedical analytics and Modeling, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, New York, USA
| | - Dolores Malaspina
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Genetics and Genomics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Honnens de Lichtenberg Broge E, Wendin K, Hyldig G, Bredie WLP. Development of an olfactory test method for measuring perception of everyday food odors among older adults. J SENS STUD 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Honnens de Lichtenberg Broge
- Department of Food Science, Section for Food Design and Consumer Behaviour, Future Consumer Lab University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Karin Wendin
- Department of Food Science, Section for Food Design and Consumer Behaviour, Future Consumer Lab University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
- Department of Food and Meal Science Kristianstad University Kristianstad Sweden
| | - Grethe Hyldig
- Division of Food Technology, National Food Institute Technical University of Denmark Lyngby Denmark
| | - Wender L. P. Bredie
- Department of Food Science, Section for Food Design and Consumer Behaviour, Future Consumer Lab University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
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Ho RC, Sharma VK, Tan BYQ, Ng AYY, Lui YS, Husain SF, Ho CS, Tran BX, Pham QH, McIntyre RS, Chan ACY. Comparison of Brain Activation Patterns during Olfactory Stimuli between Recovered COVID-19 Patients and Healthy Controls: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:968. [PMID: 34439587 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11080968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired sense of smell occurs in a fraction of patients with COVID-19 infection, but its effect on cerebral activity is unknown. Thus, this case report investigated the effect of COVID-19 infection on frontotemporal cortex activity during olfactory stimuli. In this preliminary study, patients who recovered from COVID-19 infection (n = 6) and healthy controls who never contracted COVID-19 (n = 6) were recruited. Relative changes in frontotemporal cortex oxy-hemoglobin during olfactory stimuli was acquired using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The area under curve (AUC) of oxy-hemoglobin for the time interval 5 s before and 15 s after olfactory stimuli was derived. In addition, olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks 12-identification test (SIT-12). Patients had lower SIT-12 scores than healthy controls (p = 0.026), but there were no differences in oxy-hemoglobin AUC between healthy controls and patients (p > 0.05). This suggests that past COVID-19 infection may not affect frontotemporal cortex function, and these preliminary results need to be verified in larger samples.
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