No abstract

Aims: Neuroimaging studies suggest a significant overlap between brain regions involved in the regulation of olfaction and mood. The aim of the present study was to search for correlations between depressive symptomatology measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and olfactory function assessed with Sniffin' Sticks in non-demented older adults (aged 53-79 years).Methods: Taste detection thresholds were also measured by means of electrogustometry on the anterior tongue. Results:No correlation was found between the GDS scores (range: 0-12) and olfactory thresholds or olfactory identification scores. Similarly, there was no relationship between depressive symptoms and electrogustometric thresholds. Subjects (n = 25) scoring Ն5 on the GDS were classified as 'depressed' and all other individuals (n = 60) were classified as 'nondepressed'. The two groups did not differ in terms of the olfactory measures and electrogustometric threshold. Conclusion:Depressive symptoms are not associated with any major olfactory deficit in non-clinical older adults.

The present results suggest the following: (i) alcohol dependence is not associated with any major alterations in taste responses to sucrose solutions, (ii) sweet liking is a phenotypic marker of male alcoholics with a paternal history of alcoholism.

No abstract

Background and Purpose-Predictors of smoking abstinence in stroke survivors remain largely unexplored. The present study addressed the relationship between degrees of nicotine dependence and smoking abstinence 3 months after ischemic stroke. Methods-One hundred smokers with first-ever ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled to the study. Correlates of nicotine dependence as well as sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were assessed during hospitalization.Smoking status was determined at 3-month follow-up. Results-Significant predictors of smoking abstinence at follow-up included: the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence score, the Barthel Index, the number of smoking household members, and the Geriatric Depression Scale score. Conclusions-Our results suggest that smoking cessation after ischemic stroke can be determined by the interplay of psychobiological and environmental factors.