Individual Variability in the Awareness of Odors: Demographic Parameters and Odor Identification Ability

摘要: Human chemosensation can be strongly influenced by how much attention people pay to chemosensory stimuli (e.g., Marks and Wheeler in Chem Senses 23:19–29, 1998; Prescott et al. 29:331–340, 2004). In a recent study, scale has been devised (i.e., the Odor Awareness Scale; OAS; see Smeets 33:725–734, 2008) investigate level of awareness have available odorants environment. Here, we explored whether variant (Italian version) OAS could used discriminate between different groups participants terms olfactory abilities performance an odor identification task) and/or personal/demographic characteristics gender, age, etc.). Ninety-eight underwent this study that was composed personal detail questionnaire, OAS, deep investigation ability based on large variety stimuli. During 6 testing sessions, total 72 were evaluated: 36 aromas vapor phase presented vials chemical compounds hydroalcoholic solutions. The results did not indicate any relationships participants’ declared odors real test. However, differences found as function number factors such as, for example, gender (with females showing higher scores than males) or age younger collecting lower older participants). conclusion, predict from modified specific identify odors. Nevertheless, extend scale’s characterization highlighting connections individual parameters.