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Olfactory Dysfunction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Meta-analytic Review of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder

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Abstract

Olfactory dysfunction is recognized in neurodevelopmental disorders and may serve as an early indicator of global dysfunction. The present meta-analysis measures olfaction effect sizes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Meta-analysis included 320 ADHD, 346 ASD, and 208 OCD individuals as compared to 910 controls. Olfactory performance deficits were small-to-moderate and heterogeneous (d =  − 0.42, 95% CI =  − 0.59 < δ <  − 0.25). Meta-analytic results indicate that olfactory dysfunction is evident in individuals with ASD and OCD, with small-to-negligible effects in ADHD. These findings imply olfactory dysfunction is related to clinical phenotype in ASD and OCD, but not ADHD, and warrant inclusion in clinical assessment and evaluation of certain neurodevelopmental disorders.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by K01 MH102609, R21 MH108895, a Young Investigator Award from the Brain and Behavior Foundation, and the University Research Foundation of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Andrew J. D. Crow, Jennica M. Janssen, Kayci L. Vickers, Julia Parish-Morris, Paul J. Moberg & David R. Roalf

  2. Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jennica M. Janssen

  3. Center for Autism Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Julia Parish-Morris

  4. Lifespan Brain Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    David R. Roalf

  5. Neuropsychiatry Section, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 3700 Hamilton Walk Richards Building, Suite 5A, Room 502, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    David R. Roalf

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Contributions

All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis and manuscript. PJM and DRR conceived and planned the meta-analysis. AJDC, JMJ, and KLV surveyed the literature and extracted data. AJDC and DRR planned and carried statistical analysis. PJM consulted on analysis. All authors contributed to the interpretation of the results. AJDC took the lead in writing the manuscript. All authors reviewed all drafts of the manuscript. JPM, PJM and DRR edited and revised all versions of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to David R. Roalf.

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Crow, A.J.D., Janssen, J.M., Vickers, K.L. et al. Olfactory Dysfunction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Meta-analytic Review of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 50, 2685–2697 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04376-9

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