Performance on an odor detection and identification test as a predictor of ortho- and retronasal odor intensity ratings in the young and elderly

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to examine whether performance on the European Test of Olfactory Capabilities (ETOC, 16 odors to be detected and identified) can predict ortho- and retronasal odor intensity ratings. In Experiment 1 (Exp1), vanilla (0–0.31%) in a beverage (whey drink) was rated for ortho- and retronasal intensity and the ETOC was performed by elderly ( n  = 27, 66–83, mean 74.4 years) and young ( n  = 32, 22–36, mean 26.0 years). In Experiment 2 (Exp2), 17 elderly (67–84, mean 74.9 years) and 10 young (22–29, mean 25.9 years) performed the ETOC and rated varying concentrations of vanilla and lemon in aqueous solutions, grape juice and yogurt for ortho- and retronasal intensity. For the young, the mean detection/identification scores of the ETOC were 15.8/14.0 (Exp1), and 15.6/13.2 (Exp2). The corresponding scores for the elderly were 14.6/10.6 (Exp1) and 13.0/7.9 (Exp2). Orthonasally, the young differentiated the aroma concentrations in the whey drinks better than the elderly performing poorly in ETOC. Retronasally, the young and the well performing elderly gave higher intensity ratings for higher concentrations, while the poorly performing elderly were unable to do this. A tendency for small intensity difference in the poorly performing elderly was observed in ortho- and retronasal ratings for aqueous solutions, and orthonasal ratings for grape juice and yogurt. Retronasal intensity ratings of the elderly for grape juice and yogurt were not associated with their ETOC performance. Hence, olfactory performance measured by the ETOC predicted orthonasal intensity ratings, though not evidently, while its predictive ability for the retronasal intensity ratings of the elderly for complex food systems was deficient.