Uniformity of olfactory loss in aging

Abstract

Most studies of how human olfaction changes with age have compared young and old. Essentially all such studies imply that aging takes a toll. The elderly have higher thresholds, perceive suprathreshold odors as being weaker, discriminate quality less well, recognize and identify common odors less well, and remember episodic presentations of odors poorly. To a first approximation, it appears that all odor qualities and functions undergo a general blunting. The few studies of persons between the young and the elderly suggest that the process of deterioration sets in early and progresses gradually. Such gradual deterioration would presumably allow the easiest accommodation to any loss and may account for why many elderly people seem oblivious to it. In some respects, ignorance may be bliss. For example, the diminished flavor of food may go unnoticed. In other respects, the loss of olfactory information may pose some nutritional and safety risks of which the elderly and perhaps even the middle-aged should be apprised. Longitudinal studies would seem to offer the only chance to decide the rate and magnitude of individual losses in olfaction. Such studies might also offer enlightenment regarding ways to forestall loss.