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A Twin Study of Odor Identification and Olfactory Sensitivity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

N.L. Segal ,
K.W. Brown  and
T.D. Topolski
N.L. Segal*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Twin Studies Center, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA
K.W. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Twin Studies Center, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA
T.D. Topolski
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Twin Studies Center, California State University, Fullerton, California, USA
*
California State University, Fullerton, Department of Psychology, Fullerton, CA 92634

Abstract

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Interindividual variation in odor identification and olfactory sensitivity has been explained primarily with reference to age, sex and/or experiential factors. A twin study of olfaction can, therefore, substantially contribute to current research in this area. Thirty-nine monozygotic and twenty dizygotic twin pairs have completed the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), an olfactory preference questionnaire, and two odor detection threshold tests (phenyl ethyl alcohol and butanol). A genetic influence on odor identification, as assessed by the UPSIT, has been demonstrated. Future plans and directions for this research program are discussed.

Keywords

Olfactory sensitivityOdor detection threshold test
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 41 , Issue 2-3 , July 1992 , pp. 113 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1992

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