Olfactory Assessment: Decoding Your Hidden Sense of Smell
Scientifically Reviewed · Dr. Marwa Abd-Alazim · September 14, 2026
Review Criteria & Clinical Standards
This content undergoes rigorous scientific peer-review and medical editorial standards at Arab Psychology Network to ensure clinical accuracy, validity, and compliance with evidence-based guidelines from leading psychological and healthcare authorities (APA / WHO).
Introduction
The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is a standardized olfactometric test used to measure an individual’s ability to identify common odors. It is used to assess an individual’s olfactory acuity, or sense of smell. This assessment is important for identifying individuals with olfactory deficits or who are at risk for developing such deficits. This article will discuss the history, definition, and utility of UPSIT, as well as provide references for further reading.
History
The UPSIT was first developed in the 1980s by Dr. Richard Doty at the University of Pennsylvania Smell and Taste Center. It was designed to assess an individual’s ability to identify common odors, and it has been widely used in clinical and research settings since its inception. The UPSIT has been validated in numerous studies and is considered to be an effective method for measuring olfactory acuity.
Definition
The UPSIT is a standardized olfactometric test consisting of 40 microencapsulated odorants. The odors are presented to the test subject in a book containing four removable strips. Each strip contains 10 odorants, and the test subject is asked to identify the odors by selecting the corresponding answer from a list of four possible choices. The test is typically administered by a trained clinician, and the results are reported as a score out of 40.
Utility
The UPSIT is widely used to assess olfactory acuity in both clinical and research settings. It is used to identify individuals with olfactory deficits or who are at risk for developing such deficits. It has been used to assess the effects of various conditions on olfaction, such as head trauma, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. It has also been used in studies of aging and to assess olfactory functioning in other animal species.
Conclusion
The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) is a standardized olfactometric test used to measure an individual’s olfactory acuity. It has been widely used in clinical and research settings since its inception, and it is considered to be an effective method for assessing olfactory functioning.
References
Doty, R. L. (1987). The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: A standardized microencapsulated test of olfactory ability. Archives of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, 113(6), 517-522.
Doty, R. L., Shaman, P., Applebaum, S. L., Giberson, R., Siksorski, L., & Rosenberg, L. (1984). The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: A rapid quantitative olfactory function test for clinics and laboratories. Physiology & Behavior, 32(3), 489-502.
Hummel, T., Welge-Luessen, U., & Kobal, G. (1997). Normative data for the “Sniffin’Sticks” including tests of odor identification, odor discrimination, and olfactory thresholds: An upgrade based on a group of more than 3,000 subjects. Chemical Senses, 22(3), 393-409.
Stevens, J. C., & Cain, W. S. (2005). The psychophysics of human olfaction. Experimental Brain Research, 166(2), 219-233.
