A Quantitative Meta-analysis of Olfactory Dysfunction in Epilepsy

Kiran Khurshid, Andrew J.D. Crow, Petra E. Rupert, Nancy L. Minniti, Melissa A. Carswell, Dawn J. Mechanic-Hamilton, Vidyulata Kamath, Richard L. Doty, Paul J. Moberg, David R. Roalf

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Olfactory dysfunction in epilepsy is well-documented in several olfactory domains. However, the clinical specificity of these deficits remains unknown. The aim of this systematic meta-analysis was to determine which domains of olfactory ability were most impaired in individuals with epilepsy, and to assess moderating factors affecting olfactory ability. Extant peer-reviewed literature on olfaction in epilepsy were identified via a computerized literature search using PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, and Google Scholar databases. Twenty-one articles met inclusion criteria. These studies included a total of 912 patients with epilepsy and 794 healthy comparison subjects. Included studies measured olfaction using tests of odor identification, discrimination, memory, and detection threshold in patients with different types of epilepsy, including temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), mixed frontal epilepsy (M-F), and mixed epilepsy (MIX). Olfactory deficits were robust in patients with epilepsy when compared to healthy individuals, with effect sizes in the moderate to large range for several olfactory domains, including odor identification (d = −1.59), memory (d = −1.10), discrimination (d = −1.04), and detection threshold (d = −0.58). Olfactory deficits were most prominent in patients with TLE and M-F epilepsy. Amongst patients with epilepsy, sex, age, smoking status, education, handedness, and age of illness onset were significantly related to olfactory performance. Overall, these meta-analytic findings indicate that the olfactory system is compromised in epilepsy and suggest that detailed neurobiological investigations of the olfactory system may provide further insight into this disorder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)328-337
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropsychology Review
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2019

Keywords

  • Epilepsy
  • Olfaction
  • Seizure disorder
  • Seizures
  • Smell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

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