Development and validation of the Olfactory Memory Test Battery (OMTB) based on odors with high- and low-verbalizability

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Shu bin Li - , Southern Medical University, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Chao Yan - , East China Normal University (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Lai quan Zou - , Southern Medical University (Author)

Abstract

Background: Odor memory is an important field of clinical research for its distinctive characteristics, which differ from those of other sensory systems. To date, several tests have been implemented for the assessment of odor memory. Despite a range of studies demonstrating the importance of verbal mediation in odor memory, few have distinguished odor memory performance in different odor verbalization levels. New method: We aimed to develop a standardized odor memory test toolbox with one group of odors that are easily verbally identified and the other group of odors that are difficult to identify. The test contained two odor categories (high- and low-verbalizability odors), each consisting of three subtests (short- and long-term memory and working memory). Results: Satisfactory test-retest reliability and solid validity of the odor recognition and working memory test were shown in both odor categories. Moreover, people scored significantly better with high- than low-verbalizability odors. A negative age effect on odor memory performance was also found. Comparison with existing methods: No previous odor memory test distinguished odor memory performance in different odor verbalization levels, while the Olfactory Memory Test Battery (OMTB) contains high- and low-verbalizability odors and each category has three subtests. Conclusions: The present study indicated the OMTB is a comprehensive assessment of odor memory with good reliability and validity. All subtests can be used separately or in combination with each other according to the clinical and research needs.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number109826
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of neuroscience methods
Volume388
Publication statusPublished - 15 Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36822275
WOS 000964801400001
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645381

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Olfactory memory, Reliability, Validity, Verbalizability, Working memory, Reproducibility of Results, Humans, Recognition, Psychology, Memory, Short-Term, Odorants, Smell