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Comparative Study
. 2016 Jan 19:7:6.
doi: 10.1186/s13229-016-0071-2. eCollection 2016.

Assessment of olfactory detection thresholds in children with autism spectrum disorders using a pulse ejection system

Hirokazu Kumazaki  1 , Taro Muramatsu  2 , Takashi X Fujisawa  3 , Masutomo Miyao  4 , Eri Matsuura  5 , Ken-Ichi Okada  5 , Hirotaka Kosaka  3 , Akemi Tomoda  3 , Masaru Mimura  2
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Assessment of olfactory detection thresholds in children with autism spectrum disorders using a pulse ejection system

Hirokazu Kumazaki et al. Mol Autism. .

Abstract

Background: Atypical responsiveness to olfactory stimuli has been reported as the strongest predictor of social impairment in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, previous laboratory-based sensory psychophysical studies that have aimed to investigate olfactory sensitivity in children with ASD have produced inconsistent results. The methodology of these studies is limited by several factors, and more sophisticated approaches are required to produce consistent results.

Methods: We measured olfactory detection thresholds in children with ASD and typical development (TD) using a pulse ejection system-a newly developed methodology designed to resolve problems encountered in previous studies. The two odorants used as stimuli were isoamyl acetate and allyl caproate.

Results: Forty-three participants took part in this study: 23 (6 females, 17 males) children with ASD and 20 with TD (6 females, 14 males). Olfactory detection thresholds of children with ASD were significantly higher than those of TD children with both isoamyl acetate (2.85 ± 0.28 vs 1.57 ± 0.15; p < 0.001) and allyl caproate ( 3.30 ± 0.23 vs 1.17 ± 0.08; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: We found impaired olfactory detection thresholds in children with ASD. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the olfactory abnormalities that children with ASD experience. Considering the role and effect that odors play in our daily lives, insensitivity to some odorants might have a tremendous impact on children with ASD. Future studies of olfactory processing in ASD may reveal important links between brain function, clinically relevant behavior, and treatment.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder; Laboratory-based studies; Olfaction; Olfactory detection threshold; Pulse ejection system.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fragrance jet for medical checkup. This device creates ejection pulses for scent presentation with a high degree of granularity control. In response to pulsed scents, the device can measure and quantify olfactory detection thresholds in precise detail
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Conceptual graph of the pulse ejection system. The scent intensity is controlled by two parameters: ejection quantity per unit time (EQUT) and ejection time (ET). Ejection can be controlled in pulses of 667 μs. Compared to existing measurement techniques, this system can minimize lingering scent trails and makes it more difficult for the olfactory system to adapt to a particular odor
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Touch panel display. The touch panel is comprised of three boxes. Three stimuli are presented at random, of which one is scented and the other two are odorless. When participants push a box, odors are given off
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Subjects’ olfactory detection thresholds. Numbers of ASD or TD subjects for each odor stimulus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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