Olfactory sensitivity in early-stage Parkinson patients affected by more marked unilateral disorder

Two groups of subjects, 6 medicated Parkinson patients: at an early stage o f disease and affected by more marked right unilateral disorder and 12 norm al elderly people, were examined on matching anti naming olfactory tasks. O n the former, subjects had to recognize among four previously sniffed odour s, while on the latter they had to label an odour by choosing among four al ternatives proposed by the examiner. Stimuli were administered to both nost rils. Analysis indicated that Parkinson patients were less efficient with t he left nostril in the matching task, supporting the hypothesis of a larger compromise in the nostril contralateral to the side of die body more affec ted by the disease. Such a difference wits not observed for the elderly peo ple. Data are discussed with reference to the loss of dopamine in Parkinson patients.