Method for identifying early mild cognitive impairment by specific odor

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for identifying early mild cognitive impairment by specific odor. The method comprises the following steps: (1) selecting a subject according to a group entering standard; (2) the subjects entering the group are grouped according to the MoCA scoring standard; (3) evaluating the olfactory function by using a Chinese odor recognition test-16 (CSIT-16); and (4) counting the odor recognition accuracy of different groups, and performing data analysis. According to the invention, people with mild cognitive impairment can be rapidly identified through specific smell, and a theoretical basis and an olfaction identification technology are provided for early screening of Alzheimer's disease. The method has very remarkable low-cost benefits, totally belongs to non-invasive distinct characteristics, is extremely simple and convenient in operation process, and is extremely expected to become an extremely reliable and reliable important tool for carrying out preliminary detection on the Alzheimer's disease in the future development process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of brain health assessment technology, and in particular to methods for assessing Alzheimer's disease. Background Technology

[0002] Human olfactory function declines with normal aging. Most people over 65 years of age experience some degree of olfactory dysfunction, ranging from mild impairment to complete loss of smell. While women generally have a better sense of smell than men, there is no gender effect in individuals aged 65-74. In the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, the olfactory system is often severely impaired, with olfactory test scores significantly lower than those of healthy older adults, and the rate of olfactory function deterioration is much higher. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that olfactory dysfunction is one of the earliest clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and a clear prodromal marker of AD. Olfactory dysfunction is present in AD patients and shows a trend of olfactory decline even during the subjective cognitive decline stage, worsening as the disease progresses. Results obtained through olfactory function assessment can predict cognitive function and even identify older adults with spontaneous atrophic spondylitis (SCD) at risk of developing AD. In older adults without dementia, low olfactory test scores are associated with future cognitive decline and an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with AD within the following 5 years. Studies have shown that specific odors identified through brief odor identification tests can predict future mortality; results have found that smoke, gasoline, soap, and onions can predict mortality rates.

[0003] The clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mainly includes neuropsychological assessment, cerebrospinal fluid and genetic testing, neuropathological and imaging diagnosis, etc. These technologies have drawbacks such as low accuracy, low maturity, and low timeliness, and cannot be used for early disease screening, nor can they address the prevention and control of the disease. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing recognition technologies, this invention provides a method for identifying early-stage mild cognitive impairment through specific odors.

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is achieved through the following technical solution: In a first aspect, a method for identifying early-stage mild cognitive impairment through a specific odor, characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) Subjects were selected based on inclusion criteria; (2) The enrolled subjects were grouped according to the MoCA scoring criteria; (3) The olfactory function was assessed using the Chinese Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16); (4) Calculate the odor recognition accuracy of different groups and identify the risk of mild cognitive impairment based on the statistical results.

[0006] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0007] In order to effectively solve the technical problems mentioned in the background, the present invention provides a method for identifying early mild cognitive impairment by specific odors; wherein, the sense of smell is assessed using the Chinese Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16), and the subjects are grouped according to the MoCA scoring criteria.

[0008] This invention can quickly identify people with mild cognitive impairment through specific odors, providing a theoretical basis for early screening of Alzheimer's disease, namely, olfactory identification technology.

[0009] This invention has the distinct characteristics of being cost-effective, completely non-invasive, and extremely simple to operate.

[0010] This invention has the potential to become an extremely reliable and trustworthy tool for the initial detection of Alzheimer's disease.

[0011] The experimental results showed that patients with mild cognitive impairment could not correctly identify the smell of fennel (OR = 1.758, 95% CI: 1.157-2.670), and the smell of fennel was statistically significant in distinguishing whether a patient had mild cognitive impairment (p < 0.05). Detailed Implementation

[0012] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments. These embodiments are merely preferred implementations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0013] Example 1

[0014] This embodiment provides a method for identifying early mild cognitive impairment using a specific odor and its application. The specific odor is the China Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16), and early mild cognitive impairment is classified using the MoCA scoring system. The identification method includes the following steps:

[0015] Selecting subjects

[0016] Inclusion criteria included: 1) Age 50 years or older; 2) Willingness to join the study or consent from their guardian, and signing of the relevant informed consent form. Exclusion criteria included: 1) History of non-Alzheimer's dementia with a clear etiology; 2) History of severe anxiety disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or other mental illnesses with significant mental abnormalities; 3) History of systemic diseases that severely affect one's ability to live independently; 4) Long-term use of psychotropic medications; 5) History of head trauma with sequelae; 6) Refusal or inability to cooperate with cognitive function examinations; 7) Incomplete clinical data collection; 8) Presence of nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, nasal tumors, or nasal trauma.

[0017] Face-to-face interviews and cognitive function assessment

[0018] Testers conducted interviews with participants to obtain general information, personal history, past medical history, and family medical history. Participants underwent the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA, Chinese Version) to assess their performance in seven cognitive domains: visuospatial and executive function, naming ability, attention, verbal repetition and fluency, abstract descriptive summarization ability, delayed memory, and orientation.

[0019] Olfactory function assessment

[0020] Olfactory perception was assessed using the Chinese Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16). Sixteen olfactory identification test sticks (including orange, almond milk, garlic, chocolate, coffee, floral water, sesame oil, fried fish, banana, rose, fennel, apple, dried longan lemon, pineapple, and soy sauce) were used in conjunction with accompanying software to test the subjects' olfactory function. Each olfactory stick presented one odor, and the odors from different sticks were not repeated. In each test, one odor from one stick was presented, and the subject was asked to select the name of the odor from four options.

[0021] The screening results are as follows:

[0022] All 573 community residents aged 50 and above were divided into 4 groups based on the MoCA scoring criteria: Normal group (MoCA ≥ 26 points), mild cognitive impairment group (MoCA 18-25 points), moderate cognitive impairment group (MoCA 10-17 points), and severe cognitive impairment group (MoCA < 10 points).

[0023] Table 1. Odor recognition accuracy rates in the normal group and the mild cognitive impairment group.

[0024] Table 2. Binary Logistic Regression Analysis of Normal Group and Mild Cognitive Impairment Group

[0025] As shown in Table 2, after screening, the aroma of fennel was statistically significant in distinguishing between mild cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment (p<0.05); correctly identifying the aroma of fennel reduced the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (OR=1.758, 95%CI: 1.157-2.670).

[0026] The above embodiments merely illustrate the implementation of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any technical solutions obtained by adopting equivalent substitutions or equivalent transformations should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for identifying early mild cognitive impairment using specific odors, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Subjects were selected based on inclusion criteria; (2) The enrolled subjects were grouped according to the MoCA scoring criteria; (3) The olfactory function was assessed using the Chinese Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16); (4) Calculate the odor recognition accuracy of different groups and identify the risk of early mild cognitive impairment based on the statistical results.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step (1) includes: Select participants aged 50 and above; Subjects voluntarily or with the consent of their guardians, sign the relevant informed consent form; Subjects with a clear history of non-Alzheimer's dementia, severe mental illness, systemic disease, long-term use of psychotropic drugs, traumatic brain injury, inability to cooperate with cognitive function tests, incomplete clinical data collection, or related diseases such as nasal polyps, deviated nasal septum, nasal tumors, or nasal trauma were excluded.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, In step (2), the subjects are divided into the following four groups according to the MoCA scoring criteria: Normal group (MoCA ≥ 26 points); Mild cognitive impairment group (MoCA 18-25 points); Moderate cognitive impairment group (MoCA 10-17 points); Severe cognitive impairment group (MoCA < 10 points).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Step (3) specifically involves using the Chinese Odor Identification Test-16 (CSIT-16), which includes 16 olfactory identification test sticks, including: orange, almond milk, garlic, chocolate, coffee, floral water, sesame oil, fried fish, banana, rose, fennel, apple, dried longan, lemon, pineapple, and soy sauce. Each olfactory identification test stick presents one odor, and the odors of the test sticks are not repeated. In each test, the odor of one test stick is presented, and the subject selects the name of the smell from four options.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, In step (4), the aroma of fennel was used to distinguish patients with mild cognitive impairment from normal subjects, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and its accuracy in identification was associated with the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (OR = 1.758, 95% CI: 1.157-2.670).

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