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Science 21 December 1984:
Vol. 226. no. 4681, pp. 1441 - 1443
DOI: 10.1126/science.6505700
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Articles

Science, Vol 226, Issue 4681, 1441-1443
Copyright © 1984 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Smell identification ability: changes with age

RL Doty, P Shaman, SL Applebaum, R Giberson, L Siksorski, and L Rosenberg

Smell identification ability was measured in 1955 persons ranging in age from 5 to 99 years. On the average, women outperformed men at all ages, and nonsmokers outperformed smokers. Peak performance occurred in the third through fifth decades and declined markedly after the seventh. More than half of those 65 to 80 years old evidenced major olfactory impairment. After 80 years, more than three-quarters evidenced major impairment. Given these findings, it is not surprising that many elderly persons complain that food lacks flavor and that the elderly account for a disproportionate number of accidental gas poisoning cases each year.


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