WITHDRAWN: Impaired odor identification ability and olfactory hedonic capacity in children with elevated autistic traits

Abstract

Background: Atypical olfactory function in autism spectrum disorder has been documented in numerous studies, but little is known about its occurrence in individuals with autistic traits. The aim of the current study was to investigate odor identification ability and olfactory hedonic capacity in children with autistic traits. Methods: The study included 91 children in a high autistic trait group, and 128 children in a low autistic trait group, as determined based on Short Autism Spectrum Quotient scores. The Universal Sniff (U-Sniff) test was used to measure odor identification ability and olfactory hedonic capacity. Olfactory hedonic capacity was also measured using the child’s version of the Chemosensory Pleasure Scale (CPS-C). Results: Children in the high autistic trait group exhibited significantly impaired odor identification and olfactory hedonic capacity measured by CPS-C than those in the low autistic trait group, but there was no significant difference in olfactory hedonic capacity measured by U-Sniff between the two groups. Impaired odor identification was significantly correlated with olfactory hedonic capacity measured by CPS-C. Limitations: Only a self-reporting questionnaire was used to screen children for autistic trait. The combination of a self-reporting scale and diagnosis by a clinical expert would result in more accurate screening of individuals for autistic trait.Conclusions: Children with high autistic trait exhibited poorer odor identification ability and olfactory trait hedonic capacity than children without high autistic trait. These results pertaining to odor identification and olfactory hedonic capacity may be the endophenotypic markers for autism spectrum disorder.