Olfaction in the elderly: a cross-sectional analysis comparing Parkinson's disease with controls and other disorders.

Olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease (PD) is an association that has been well documented in the medical literature, although the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. In the Sun Health Research Institute Brain and Body Donation Program, subjects were tested for olfactory function. Olfaction was impaired in subjects with clinically probable PD but not those with essential tremor (ET), restless legs syndrome (RLS), or mild cognitive impairment.

Counseling for driving restrictions in epilepsy and other causes of temporary impairment of consciousness: how are we doing?

In Arizona, other states, and other countries, people who experience a seizure or other transient alteration of consciousness may be legally restricted from driving. Arizona law requires that people with these conditions submit themselves for a medical review, whereas health care providers are not required to report to the authorities. Therefore, counseling people with these medical conditions about driving generally falls to health care providers, who are often not neurologists.

Sniffing out Parkinson disease: can olfactory testing differentiate parkinsonian disorders?

Background: : Akinetic-rigid syndromes are a heterogeneous group of diseases with overlapping clinical manifestations. A recent American Academy of Neurology practice parameter indicated that olfactory testing was "probably useful" for differentiating idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) from other diseases with features of parkinsonism.

Objective: : To determine the diagnostic accuracy of olfactory testing for differentiating IPD from other parkinsonian disorders.