Ophélie Glachet1, Marie-Charlotte Gandolphe1, Karim Gallouj2, Pascal Antoine1, Mohamad El Haj3. 1. Laboratoire de sciences cognitives et affective, SCAlab - UMR CNRS 9193, Université de Lille, France. 2. Unité de gériatrie, Centre hospitalier de Tourcoing, Tourcoing, France. 3. Unité de gériatrie, Centre hospitalier de Tourcoing, Tourcoing, France, Laboratoire de psychologie des Pays de la Loire, EA 4638, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France, Institut universitaire de France, Paris, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A body of research showed positive effects of olfactory stimulation on autobiographical memory. However, no research has evaluated the influence of such stimulation on autobiographical memory in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We invited participants with Alzheimer's disease and controls to retrieve autobiographical memories when exposed to odor and in a control condition without odor. RESULTS: Compared to memories evoked without odors, olfactory-evoked autobiographical memories were more specific and accompanied by more subjective experience of reviviscence in patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, no such benefit was observed in control participants. Interestingly, when compared to memories evoked without odors, olfactory-evoked autobiographical memories were retrieved faster in all participants. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate positive effects of olfactory stimulation on two components (specificity and reviviscence) of autobiographical retrieval in Alzheimer's disease. This study offers solid foundations for the adaptation of olfactory stimulation in nursing homes in the framework of reminiscence therapy in order to preserve the sense of identity in patients with Alzheimer's disease as long as possible.
BACKGROUND: A body of research showed positive effects of olfactory stimulation on autobiographical memory. However, no research has evaluated the influence of such stimulation on autobiographical memory in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We invited participants with Alzheimer's disease and controls to retrieve autobiographical memories when exposed to odor and in a control condition without odor. RESULTS: Compared to memories evoked without odors, olfactory-evoked autobiographical memories were more specific and accompanied by more subjective experience of reviviscence in patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, no such benefit was observed in control participants. Interestingly, when compared to memories evoked without odors, olfactory-evoked autobiographical memories were retrieved faster in all participants. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate positive effects of olfactory stimulation on two components (specificity and reviviscence) of autobiographical retrieval in Alzheimer's disease. This study offers solid foundations for the adaptation of olfactory stimulation in nursing homes in the framework of reminiscence therapy in order to preserve the sense of identity in patients with Alzheimer's disease as long as possible.