Vergleich des Geruchsvermögens von Patientinnen mit einer Anorexia nervosa und Normalgewichtigen in Abhängigkeit vom Sättigungszustand

The aim of this thesis was to compare the olfactory performance of
anorectic patients and healthy controls with regard to the state of
satiety. Using the Sniffin’ Sticks, sensitivity to a non-food odor
(n-butanol) and to a food-related odor (isoamyl acetate) was
assessed in 12 anorectic females and 24 healthy controls. Threshold
tests were performed in a hungry as well as in a satiated state,
odor discrimination and odor identification only when satiated.
Pleasantness of the odors was recorded. In terms of the non-food
odor n-butanol, the olfactory sensitivity of anorectic patients and
controls did not differ. Patients with anorexia nervosa had a
significantly lower detection threshold for the food-related odor,
but only in the hungry condition. Anorectic patients showed
significant deficits in odor discrimination and identification, and
under-evaluated the pleasantness of isoamyl acetate. The results
suggest an impaired projection from secondary to tertiary olfactory
structures in anorexia nervosa, based upon the dichotomy of
performance between detection threshold and odor
discrimination/identification. The reduced pleasantness of isoamyl
acetate indicates a decreased olfactory responsiveness to food
stimuli in anorexia nervosa.