A correlation study on olfactory bulb volumes with ages and olfactory function in healthy adults

Abstract

To analyze the correlation between olfactory bulb (OB) volumes and ages, as well as OB volumes and olfactory function in healthy adults. One hundred healthy subjects, without any diseases which might cause smell dysfunction were selected to participate in this study. The ages of the subjects ranged from 20 to 70, with the mean age of 42.6 ± 4.8. These subjects were scaned for olfactory function by T&T testing, OB volumes assessed with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The correlation between OB volumes and ages as well as OB volumes and olfactory function in healthy adults was analyzed. SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data. The left and right OB volumes of men were (84.65 ± 7.11) mm(3) and (87.79 ± 7.57) mm(3), average OB volume was (86.14 ± 7.37) mm(3). The left and right OB volumes of women were (69.58 ± 4.72) mm(3) and (71.43 ± 5.29) mm(3), average OB volume was (70.22 ± 5.02) mm(3). OB volume study revealed no statistical difference between the left and right OB volumes of men (t = 1.024, P > 0.05). OB volume study revealed no statistical difference between the left and right OB volumes of women (t = 0.987, P > 0.05). OB volumes were lower in women as compared with men (t value were 3.742, 3.869 and 3.814, all P < 0.01). OB volumes were negatively correlated with ages in the subjects (r value were -0.588, -0.523, both P < 0.01). Olfactory discriminate threshold was negatively correlated with OB volumes in the subjects (r value were -0.624, -0.587, both P < 0.01). This study revealed no statistical difference between the left and right OB volumes in healthy adults. OB volumes were lower in women as compared with men. As age went up, OB volume would become smaller. As olfactory function went down, OB volume would become smaller. OB volumes were expected to be a gauge of olfactory function.