Sensory Tasks Research Articles

Організація сенсорного середовища в роботі з дітьми з розладами аутистичного спектру

The article is dedicated to the peculiarities of application of the method of sensory integration in working with children with autism spectrum disorder. The authors present historical data on the research of the problem of sensory integration, the main psychological characteristics of children with autistic spectrum disorders. It is specified the definition of «sensory integration», criteria of adequate sensory integration in neurotypical people, the fundamental value for the development of which has the operation of four systems that select and analyze information related to the body. The authors of the article outline the peculiarities of the sensory sphere of children with autistic spectrum disorders, the peculiarities of visual, auditory and tactile perception of such children. It is noted that the peculiarities of the sensory sphere of children with autistic spectrum disorders cause learning problems and lead to various types of disadapted behavior. The essence of the method of sensory integration, its contents and tasks are specified. It is determined the basic rules of organization of training sessions applying the method of «sensory integration» and the categories of children with autism spectrum disorders to whom this method should be used first. Moreover, the authors present the main exercises for stimulation of sensory integration. Sensory integration helps develop such skills and psychological entities as concentration ability, emotional organization, abstract thinking, self-acceptance and self-control.

A Novel Cognitive Function Scale Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy for Evaluating Cognitive Dysfunction.

Background:Maintaining cognitive function is integral to a healthy social life in the aged. Although neuropsychological tests and brain imaging methods can assess cognitive dysfunction, these techniques are subjective, psychologically burdensome, and cannot be conducted easily.Objective:We sought to develop an objective, low-burden novel cognitive function scale based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) of hemodynamic changes in the cerebral cortex during daily task performance.Methods:A total of 63 participants (aged 60–80 years) identified as non-dementia controls (NDC) or with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were recruited and randomly assigned to training and test data sets. Explanatory variables were hemodynamic responses during low-burden sensory and simple tasks without higher-order brain functioning.Results:A logistic regression analysis of the fNIRS index in NDCs and MCI patients revealed area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and holdout results of 0.98, 94%, 88%, and 62% respectively. Correlation between fNIRS index and MCI odds showed positive linearity (R2 = 0.96).Conclusion:Positive correlation between the fNIRS index and MCI odds indicated effectiveness of this fNIRS measurement. Although additional experiments are necessary, the fNIRS index representing degree of cognitive decline can be an onsite monitoring tool to assess cognitive status.

Food Product Development: From the Consumers Aspect

Product development involves the design activities of “new” products as well as the functionalization of the valid ones. This concept is highly associated with the demand of the consumers towards the product such as health promotion or sensory attraction. Moreover, consumers are the decider of product survival in the market. Therefore, with the sensory testing, we assess the consumers’ response which indicates the market success of the developed food. Hence, a food developer who comes up with a new product idea (including new and functionalization of the current one) needs to make sure of the consumer acceptance via sensory evaluation tasks. Sensory evaluation practices are usually the final and the determinant step of product success and acceptance. A comprehensive sensory practice should be well structured in terms of technical assessment as well as correct panelist group selection to be representative enough to give consumer’s response. Even though this aim sound to be a straight forward concept, the eating activity is quite complex and dynamic to mimic on the selected panelists as a consumer. So far, investigators collected enough data to understand only some of the senses however, sensory understanding of the several sense involving parameters like texture and aroma is still uncovered. This talk is established to understand the importance of the sensory approach which is done in practice to decide on the new/functionalized product to be placed in the market or not for business success.

Exploring Perceptions and Categorization of Virginia Hard Ciders through the Application of Sorting Tasks

Hard (alcoholic) ciders have grown rapidly since the early 2000s, but unlike beer and wine, there is limited scholarly research on their sensory attributes. The purpose of this study was to categorize and describe sensory and visual packaging and label attributes of ciders made in Virginia, United States using a labeled, free sorting task (a rapid sensory analysis method) with untrained panelists. In Study 1, panelists tasted and sorted ciders into groups and labeled their groups. Then visually for Study 2, a second group of panelists sorted “photo sheets” of packaging and labels for the same ciders by two separate tasks: According to how they expected the cider to taste; and What occasion they would be most inclined to consume the cider at. Classical text analysis was used to analyze descriptors from both the sensory and visual free sorting tasks, and the terms were projected onto their respective compromise similarity maps that were produced using DISTATIS. Subjects identified and described distinct sensory styles and attributes among the evaluated ciders; however, descriptions provided by producers on their labels did not align well with panelist experienced sensory attributes. Consistent sorting patterns from the photo sheets emerged—providing a first look into how ciders might be valued based on packaging and labels alone. The results of this research will help cider producers develop favorable products that will satisfy consumer expectations and encourage repeat purchase.

Preference Sorting as a tool for Dulce de Leches' drivers of liking determination

AbstractSensory descriptive methods are useful tools for quality control and product development. In recent years, faster methods (such as Sorting task), which do not require trained sensory panels, have been increasingly implemented to save time and consumption. Sorting task is a simple procedure for collecting similarity data, in which each assessor groups stimuli based on their perceived similarities, following or not by the samples description. Several variations of this method have been developed and presented. However, none of these approaches focused mainly on determining attributes that drive product acceptance. Thus, it is important to evaluate some tasks variations to establish recommendations about procedures useful for screening numerous samples, considering their characteristics that most contribute to their acceptance. Therefore, this study assessed three sorting task variations, varying the sorting criteria—based on similarities or based on acceptance, to assess Dulce de leche drivers of liking. Sorting criteria and the sensory description task influenced sensory results. Focusing on drivers of liking determination, grouping criteria based on preference (suggested name as Preference Sorting), following the description of the characteristics that most contribute to product acceptance, seems to be interesting.Practical applicationThe findings of this study show practical utility for consumer‐based methodologies, focusing on sorting task and drivers of liking determination. In addition, they are useful for Brazilian Dulce de leche producers as it enables understanding the consumer preferences to plan production, marketing, and commercialization strategies.

Targeted Stimulation of an Orbitofrontal Network Disrupts Decisions Based on Inferred, Not Experienced Outcomes.

When direct experience is unavailable, animals and humans can imagine or infer the future to guide decisions. Behavior based on direct experience versus inference may recruit partially distinct brain circuits. In rodents, the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) contains neural signatures of inferred outcomes, and OFC is necessary for behavior that requires inference but not for responding driven by direct experience. In humans, OFC activity is also correlated with inferred outcomes, but it is unclear whether OFC activity is required for inference-based behavior. To test this, we used noninvasive network-based continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) in human subjects (male and female) to target lateral OFC networks in the context of a sensory preconditioning task that was designed to isolate inference-based behavior from responding that can be based on direct experience alone. We show that, relative to sham, cTBS targeting this network impairs reward-related behavior in conditions in which outcome expectations have to be mentally inferred. In contrast, OFC-targeted stimulation does not impair behavior that can be based on previously experienced stimulus–outcome associations. These findings suggest that activity in the targeted OFC network supports decision-making when outcomes have to be mentally simulated, providing converging cross-species evidence for a critical role of OFC in model-based but not model-free control of behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT It is widely accepted that the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is important for decision-making. However, it is less clear how exactly this region contributes to behavior. Here we test the hypothesis that the human OFC is only required for decision-making when future outcomes have to be mentally simulated, but not when direct experience with stimulus–outcome associations is available. We show that targeting OFC network activity in humans using network-based continuous theta burst stimulation selectively impairs behavior that requires inference but does not affect responding that can be based solely on direct experience. These results are in line with previous findings in animals and suggest a critical role for human OFC in model-based but not model-free behavior.

Blindness enhances interpersonal trust but deafness impedes social exchange balance

General beliefs about social world may be altered by the sensory impairment that potentially exposes blind or deaf individuals to exploitive behaviors of others, however research in this regard remains scarce and underpowered. I measured interpersonal trust and social exchange balance in blind (n = 99), deaf (n = 74) groups, and compared it with sighted (n = 97), hearing (n = 100) controls. In the analysis of variance age, socio-economic status, education, and social desirability bias were controlled. Results indicate elevated interpersonal trust in blind individuals and negative social exchange balance in deaf subjects. Although the lack of vision or audition is not universally compensated by the increased performance of the intact senses, blind individuals develop high interpersonal trust, possibly due to the increased performance in the sensory tasks relevant to the social life. Deafness is associated with negative social exchange balance, likely because of the feeling of isolation and stigma reported by deaf people.

Proprioception but not cardiac interoception is related to the rubber hand illusion

The rubber hand illusion (RHI) is a widely used tool in the study of multisensory integration. It develops as the interaction of temporally consistent visual and tactile input, which can overwrite proprioceptive information. Theoretically, the accuracy of proprioception may influence the proneness to the RHI but this has received little research attention to date. Concerning the role of cardioceptive information, the available empirical evidence is equivocal. The current study aimed to test the impact of proprioceptive and cardioceptive input on the RHI.60 undergraduate students (32 females) completed sensory tasks assessing proprioceptive accuracy with respect to the angle of the elbow joint, a heartbeat tracking task assessing cardioceptive accuracy (the Schandry-task) and the RHI.We found that those with more consistent joint position judgements (i.e., less variable error) in the proprioceptive task were less prone to the illusion, particularly with respect to disembodiment ratings in the asynchronous condition. Systematic error, indicating a systematic distortion in position judgements influenced the illusion in the synchronous condition. Participants with more proprioceptive bias toward the direction of the rubber hand in the proprioceptive test reported a stronger felt embodiment. The results are in accordance with Bayesian causal inference models of multisensory integration. Cardioceptive accuracy, however, was not associated with the strength of the illusion.We concluded that individual differences in proprioceptive processing impact the RHI, while cardioceptive accuracy is unrelated to it. Theoretical and practical relevance of the findings are discussed.

Functional neuroimaging of sensorimotor cortices in postmenopausal women with type II diabetes.

.Significance: Deficits in sensorimotor function in persons with type II diabetes mellitus (PwDM) have traditionally been considered a result of peripheral nerve damage. Emerging evidence has suggested that factors outside of nerve damage due to type II diabetes mellitus, such as impaired hemodynamic function, contribute significantly to both sensory and motor deficits in PwDM.Aim: The focus of the current study was to evaluate functional cortical hemodynamic activity during sensory and motor tasks in PwDM.Approach: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor oxyhemoglobin (HbO) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) across the cortex during sensory and motor tasks involving the hands.Results: Decline in HbO across sensory and motor regions of interest was found in PwDM with simultaneous deficits in manual motor tasks, providing the first evidence of functional cortical hemodynamic activity deficits relating to motor dysfunction in PwDM. Similar deficits were neither specifically noted in HbR nor during evaluation of sensory function. Health state indices, such as , blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol, were found to clarify group effects.Conclusions: Further work is needed to clarify potential sex-based differences in PwDM during motor tasks as well as the root of reduced cortical HbO indices but unchanged HbR indices in PwDM.

Available Sensory Input Determines Motor Performance and Strategy in Early Blind and Sighted Short-Tailed Opossums.

SummaryThe early loss of vision results in a reorganized neocortex, affecting areas of the brain that process both the spared and lost senses, and leads to heightened abilities on discrimination tasks involving the spared senses. Here, we used performance measures and machine learning algorithms that quantify behavioral strategy to determine if and how early vision loss alters adaptive sensorimotor behavior. We tested opossums on a motor task involving somatosensation and found that early blind animals had increased limb placement accuracy compared with sighted controls, while showing similarities in crossing strategy. However, increased reliance on tactile inputs in early blind animals resulted in greater deficits in limb placement and behavioral flexibility when the whiskers were trimmed. These data show that compensatory cross-modal plasticity extends beyond sensory discrimination tasks to motor tasks involving the spared senses and highlights the importance of whiskers in guiding forelimb control.

Tongue Posture, Tongue Movements, Swallowing, and Cerebral Areas Activation: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

The aim of this study was to pinpoint the cerebral regions implicated during swallowing by comparing the brain activation areas associated with two different volitional movements: tongue protrusion and tongue elevation. Twenty-four healthy subjects (11—males 22 ± 2.9 y; 13—females 23 ± 4.1 y; were examined through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing two different swallowing tasks: with tongue protrusion and with tongue elevation. The study was carried out with the help of fMRI imaging which assesses brain signals caused by changes in neuronal activity in response to sensory, motor or cognitive tasks. The precentral gyrus and the cerebellum were activated during both swallowing tasks while the postcentral gyrus, thalamus, and superior parietal lobule could be identified as large activation foci only during the protrusion task. During protrusion tasks, increased activations were also seen in the left-middle and medial frontal gyrus, right thalamus, inferior parietal lobule, and the superior temporal gyrus (15,592-voxels; Z-score 5.49 ± 0.90). Tongue elevation activated a large volume of cortex portions within the left sub-gyral cortex and minor activations in both right and left inferior parietal lobules, right postcentral gyrus, lentiform nucleus, subcortical structures, the anterior cingulate, and left insular cortex (3601-voxels; Z-score 5.23 ± 0.52). However, the overall activation during swallowing tasks with tongue elevation, was significantly less than swallowing tasks with tongue protrusion. These results suggest that tongue protrusion (on inferior incisors) during swallowing activates a widely distributed network of cortical and subcortical areas than tongue elevation (on incisor papilla), suggesting a less economic and physiologically more complex movement. These neuromuscular patterns of the tongue confirm the different purpose of elevation and protrusion during swallowing and might help professionals manage malocclusions and orofacial myofunctional disorders.

EEG state-trajectory instability and speed reveal global rules of intrinsic spatiotemporal neural dynamics.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of EEG/MEG (electro-/magneto-encephalogram) have typically been investigated by applying time-frequency decomposition and examining amplitude-amplitude, phase-phase, or phase-amplitude associations between combinations of frequency bands and scalp sites, primarily to identify neural correlates of behaviors and traits. Instead, we directly extracted global EEG spatiotemporal dynamics as trajectories of k-dimensional state vectors (k = the number of estimated current sources) to investigate potential global rules governing neural dynamics. We chose timescale-dependent measures of trajectory instability (approximately the 2nd temporal derivative) and speed (approximately the 1st temporal derivative) as state variables, that succinctly characterized trajectory forms. We compared trajectories across posterior, central, anterior, and lateral scalp regions as the current sources under those regions may serve distinct functions. We recorded EEG while participants rested with their eyes closed (likely engaged in spontaneous thoughts) to investigate intrinsic neural dynamics. Some potential global rules emerged. Time-averaged trajectory instability from all five regions tightly converged (with their variability minimized) at the level of generating nearly unconstrained but slightly conservative turns (~100° on average) on the timescale of ~25 ms, suggesting that spectral-amplitude profiles are globally adjusted to maintain this convergence. Further, within-frequency and cross-frequency phase relations appear to be independently coordinated to reduce average trajectory speed and increase the variability in trajectory speed and instability in a relatively timescale-invariant manner, and to make trajectories less oscillatory. Future research may investigate the functional relevance of these intrinsic global-dynamics rules by examining how they adjust to various sensory environments and task demands or remain invariant. The current results also provide macroscopic constraints for quantitative modeling of neural dynamics as the timescale dependencies of trajectory instability and speed are relatable to oscillatory dynamics.

Effects of force level and task difficulty on force control performance in elderly people

As the proportion of people over 60 years of age rises continuously in westernized societies, it becomes increasingly important to better understand aging processes and how to maintain independence in old age. Fine motor tasks are essential in daily living and, therefore, necessary to maintain. This paper extends the existing literature on fine motor control by manipulating the difficulty of a force maintenance task to characterize performance optima for elderly. Thirty-seven elderly (M = 68.00, SD = 4.65) performed a force control task at dynamically varying force levels, i.e. randomly changing every 3 s between 10%, 20%, and 30% of the individual’s maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). This task was performed alone or with one or two additional tasks to increase task difficulty. The force control characteristics accuracy, variability, and complexity were analyzed. Lowest variability was observed at 20%. Accuracy and complexity increased with increasing force level. Overall, increased task difficulty had a negative impact on task performance. Results support the assumption, that attention control has a major impact on force control performance in elderly people. We assume different parameters to have their optimum at different force levels, which remain comparably stable when additional tasks are performed. The study contributes to a better understanding of how force control is affected in real-life situations when it is performed simultaneously to other cognitive and sensory active and passive tasks.

Non-stationary Salience Processing During Perceptual Training in Humans

Performance in sensory tasks improves with practice. Some theories suggest that the generalization of learning depends on task difficulty. In consequence, most studies have focused on measuring learning specificity, and perceptual impact after training completes. However, how exactly sustained changes in task difficulty influence the learning curves and how this affects the efficiency of perceptual discrimination is not well understood. Here, we adapted a visual task for humans by creating monocular training programs with increasing (SIMinc) and decreasing (SIMdec) stimulus similarities. We found a marked improvement in all participants after 10 days of training, with an almost complete transfer of learning to the untrained eyes. Interestingly, the training paradigms led to drastically different learning curves for the SIMinc and SIMdec groups. The learning curves were best predicted by an associative learning model that allowed stimuli to gain or lose salience depending on how the subject’s learned about them. On addition, a non-stationary sequential sampling model that jointly accounts for choice and RT distributions revealed that the SIMinc group led to faster evidence accumulation rate relative to the SIMdec group. Altogether, our results illustrate how different learning trajectories influenced attentional salience processing leading to distinctive stimulus processing efficiencies. This crucial interdependence determines how observers learn to guide their attention towards visual stimuli in search for a decision.

Perception of quality and complexity in wine and their links to varietal typicality: An investigation involving Pinot noir wine and professional tasters

Quality and complexity are abstract terms employed frequently to describe a wine’s overall attributes. In the present study, we investigated: (i) attributes driving wine professionals’ judgments of quality and complexity in Pinot noir wines; (ii) the relation between these two abstract concepts; and (iii) association of each concept with varietal typicality. Twenty-two wine professionals evaluated 18 New Zealand Pinot noir wines in both clear and opaque glassware via two sensory tasks, a descriptive rating task and an 8-attribute, perceived complexity questionnaire. Sensory data were associated with wine UV-spectrophotometry colour measures to aid interpretation of the influence of tasting-glass colour. Results demonstrated the key drivers of perceived quality were descriptors varietal typicality, expressiveness, overall structure, and attractive fruit aromatics, along with complexity questionnaire attributes of harmony, balance and number of identifiable flavours. Reductive notes drove low-quality judgments. Data show that quality and complexity were positively associated concepts and that both were linked positively with varietal typicality. Visual influence was not a major driver of wine professionals’ judgments but being able to see a wine’s colour influenced tasters’ judgments to wines at each end of the price/quality spectrum. We discuss the results in terms of cognitive phenomena associated with judgments by those with domain-specific expertise.

Check-all-that-apply (CATA) questions: Sensory term citation frequency reflects rated term intensity and applicability

CATA questions (check-all-that-apply) are popular for sensory product characterisation tasks with consumers. Lingering uncertainty over the meaning of term citation frequency was addressed in the present research, which directly compared CATA questions with intensity and applicability ratings obtained on 10 cm unstructured line scales. In three studies (n ~ 210 consumers per study), evidence fitting with expectations based on the extant literature was obtained to confirm that citation frequency reflects intensity. The two response types were strongly linearly related, meaning that it is possible to infer significant differences between samples for a given CATA term as representing differences in perceived intensity. This finding emphasises how, despite the simplicity of the CATA task and the fact that individual responses are not measures of intensity, the average citation frequencies do reflect perceived intensity. Therefore, across a group of consumers, there is no information loss relative to rating scales. A systematic difference between citation frequencies and intensity ratings was attenuation of scale use in the latter, which was between 15 and 80 on a 0 to 100 scale. Attenuation was less pronounced in CATA responses which spanned approx. 5 to 85%. In the second part of the research, which included six studies (n ~ 135 to 205 consumers per study) CATA questions were compared with applicability ratings obtained on 10 cm unstructured line scales. The results were highly similar to the comparison between CATA questions and intensity scales and further confirmed that average CATA term citation frequency can be interpreted as representing (but not directly measuring) consumers’ intensity perceptions. The attenuation in scale range was again observed. Collectively, the results contribute further support for the popularity of CATA questions for sensory characterization by consumers in product testing.

Spatially congruent negative BOLD responses to different stimuli do not summate in visual cortex

The negative BOLD response (NBR) is a prevalent feature of brain activity during sensory and cognitive tasks. It is thought to reflect suppression or deactivation of cortical areas unrequired for task performance, but much remains to be understood regarding its response properties and generative pathways. Here we study a unique property of sensory cortex NBR that most distinguishes it from positive BOLD responses (PBR), its appearance in a single location due to different stimuli. We investigate whether such NBR are additive, as a means of studying whether stimulus driven NBR arise via a single or multiple pathways.During fMRI, subject’s passively viewed separate checkerboard stimulation of the foveal and middle-eccentricity areas of the left visual field and a third condition that stimulated both areas concurrently. PBR was observed in the contralateral primary visual cortex and NBR was seen throughout the ipsilateral cortex as well as in contralateral regions superior and anterior to the PBR. Strong spatial overlap of NBRs to all three conditions was observed.We found that neither PBR nor NBR were additive. NBR amplitudes to combined stimuli were equal to those of the strongest (foveal) stimulus alone, despite the mid-eccentricity stimulus inducing substantial NBR on its own. The lack of summation of NBRs, both in the same and opposite hemispheres to the PBR, suggests that they arise from a single pathway. Our findings suggest that although individual stimuli each exert a separate inhibitory effect on non-stimulated regions, once in combination these effects operate as a binary system. Deactivation of a given visual area is driven by a single signal, representing only the largest of the contributing sources.

Free-comment outperformed check-all-that-apply in the sensory characterisation of wines with consumers at home

Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) is a popular method used for collecting word-based sensory descriptions from consumers. Free-Comment (FC), as a response to open-ended questions, is an interesting alternative because it removes biases due to the use of a predefined list of descriptors. In the context of a home used test (HUT), FC enables subjects to express themselves more naturally. The present study investigated the relevance of the use of FC at home for word-based sensory description of a set of products. Two groups of 60 consumers of red wines characterised four French red wines from different terroirs performing either a CATA task or a FC task. The two sensory tasks were performed at home according to sensory modality: visual, olfactory and gustatory. The first objective was to investigate whether a FC protocol can be successfully conducted at home and whether it enables the characterisation and discrimination of a set of products. The second objective was to investigate whether extrinsic sensory information affects FC descriptions. The third objective was to investigate whether CATA and FC provide comparable information in the HUT context. The results show that an FC protocol is feasible at home and that the extrinsic sensory information did not affect FC descriptions. FC enabled better characterisation and discrimination of the products than CATA. A new test of product differences based on the total bootstrap procedure was proposed to compare FC and CATA.

Portion size selection in children: Effect of sensory imagery for snacks varying in energy density

Food sensory imagery – creating a vivid mental image of the sensory experience of eating – can lead to the selection of smaller portions because it serves as a reminder that eating enjoyment does not necessarily increase with portion size. The evidence is mostly limited to adults and to energy-dense foods for which it is particularly difficult to predict the satiating effects of consumption quantity. The objective was to study how food sensory imagery influences portion size selection of foods varying in energy density (brownie and applesauce) by 7- to 11-year-old children. During after-school time, 171 children were randomized into two conditions. Children in the food sensory imagery condition were asked to imagine the taste, smell, and texture of eating palatable foods, i.e., chocolate cereal, chocolate waffle, and chocolate candies. Children in the control condition performed a similar sensory imagery task for non-food-related activities. Children were then asked to choose between the recommended serving size, a 50% larger portion, and a 125% larger portion of either brownie or applesauce. One week later, they were placed in the same condition for the other food. Compared to the control condition, food sensory imagery led children to choose 7.1% less brownie but had no effect on applesauce portion selection. Exploratory findings showed that the food sensory imagery intervention was especially effective at reducing brownie portion size selection among children who were moderately hungry, who usually eat fast, and whose parents pressure them to eat. In conclusion, food sensory imagery may be a useful intervention to nudge children towards healthier portion size choices because it reduces the selected portion size of an energy-dense snack without reducing the selected portion size of a healthier snack.

Lateralization of odor identification in right-handers

Background: Odor identification is related to odor naming, which is more of a verbal than an olfactory sensory task. Linguistic functions in right-handers are typically lateralized to the left hemisphere of the brain and the olfactory processing happens predominantly ipsilaterally to the stimulated side.Aims: Re-investigate side-related effect in healthy right-handed people with a larger sample size and investigate the influence of age or gender on the odor identification lateralization effect.Material and methods: The ‘Sniffin’ Sticks’ odor identification test on a single nostril (either left or right side) was conducted in four hundred and thirty-eight right-handed participants. Among those one hundred and ninety-nine participants were tested on the left-side nostril and two hundred and thirty-nine on the right-side nostril. They were divided into two groups based on the age (18 years) or sex, in the older group (18 years) and the younger group (18 years) we had subgroups based on the sex.Results: In adults (age >18 years), the left-nostril odor identification score was significantly higher than the right-nostril odor identification score (t256 = 2.21, p = .03), in the male participants, the left-nostril odor identification score was also significantly higher than the right-nostril odor identification score (t147 = 2.01, p = 0.04).Conclusions and significance: The present study found that the in adult group (age >18 years), the odor identification performed better on the left-side nostril than the right-side nostril compared to the younger group (age ≤18 years); The males performed better on the left-side nostril than the right-side nostril compared to the females. In the adults (age >18 years) group, the males subgroup played a more important role on the lateralization of odor identification. Gender and age seem to have a large influence on the lateralization of odor identification.