Development of olfactory test for children considering language level

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14444
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 10030:Clinical psychology-related
• Research Institution: University of Toyama (2020-2022); Kanazawa University (2019)
• Principal Investigator: Inada Yuna 富山大学, 学術研究部薬学・和漢系, 助教 (40835154)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚検査 / 幼児 / ニオイ同定

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to develop an olfaction test for Japanese children by adding and modifying procedures of the adult olfaction test for Japanese children. This study also considered the level of language development, and aimed to measure developmental tests and children's experiences, including language, and to clarify the relationship between these and the olfaction test. In Study 1, data were obtained from 84 healthy children aged 4-6 years to examine the feasibility of the test, and it was shown that the adult olfaction test could be applied to young children by adding and modifying procedures. In Study 2, we confirmed that the test can be administered to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we showed that the test can detect difficulties in the ability to smell in children with ASD.

Free Research Field

神経心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、成人用嗅覚検査でも幼児の嗅覚同定力を測定できる可能性が示唆された。これまで日本人幼児向けの嗅覚検査がなかったことから、本研究で使用したにおいスティックOSIT-J並びにOpen Essenceが幼児にも使用でき、健常児では成人の約半分の正答が可能であることを示すことができた。また同検査はASD児でも実施可能であった。さらには他指標との比較により、嗅覚同定力が発達レベル(特に言語力と社会性)と相関することから、簡便に嗅覚力を測ることが、言語力や社会性レベルのスクリーニングにもなる可能性があると考えられる。