Olfactory and Hippocampal Findings in SPMS and RRMS Patients
In a study with 65 patients, those with Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) had lower scores on the Sniffin' Sticks-12 olfactory test and reduced hippocampal volume compared to Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), although the olfactory score difference was less significant after adjusting for age and sex.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not yet assessed
- Mechanism
- Not yet assessed
- Evidence strength
- Not yet assessed
- Outcome
- Not yet assessed
Why it matters
These findings indicate that patients with SPMS may experience olfactory deficits and changes in brain structure, but these associations may not be straightforward and could depend on other factors.
What this does not prove
Results did not show that clinical subtype significantly affected brain volumes after adjustments, and olfactory deficits were not directly linked to brain volume measurements, indicating possible alternate mechanisms at play.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Not reported
- Participants / samples
- 65 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- No
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- No
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-14
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceOlfactory dysfunction and limbic volumetric changes in relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s13760-026-03219-1
Supporting passages (10)
sample size65
randomizedNo
primary endpoint metNo
publication date2026-10-14
findingsRESULTS: In unadjusted comparisons, patients with SPMS had significantly lower Sniffin' Sticks-12 scores than those with RRMS (p = 0.004), and raw hippocampal volume was significantly lower in the SPMS group (p = 0.028).
findingsRESULTS: In unadjusted comparisons, patients with SPMS had significantly lower Sniffin' Sticks-12 scores than those with RRMS (p = 0.004), and raw hippocampal volume was significantly lower in the SPMS group (p = 0.028).
findingsCONCLUSION: Although patients with SPMS showed poorer olfactory performance and lower raw hippocampal volume in unadjusted comparisons, clinical subtype was not independently associated with regional brain volumes after adjustment for age, sex, and TIV, and the olfactory difference did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for age and sex.
findingsThe between-group difference in Sniffin' Sticks-12 scores was also attenuated after adjustment for age and sex (B = - 1.06; 95% CI, - 2.15 to 0.04; p = 0.058) and remained non-significant in further sensitivity analyses.
limitationsCONCLUSION: Although patients with SPMS showed poorer olfactory performance and lower raw hippocampal volume in unadjusted comparisons, clinical subtype was not independently associated with regional brain volumes after adjustment for age, sex, and TIV, and the olfactory difference did not reach statistical significance after adjustment for age and sex.
limitationsFurthermore, olfactory performance was not directly associated with regional volumetric measures, suggesting that olfactory dysfunction in MS may reflect mechanisms beyond regional structural volume alone.
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