Chemosensory olfactory assay for somatization disorders

• US 5,492,934 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 02/20/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan R. Hirsch
• Original Assignee: Alan R. Hirsch
• Inventors: Hirsch, Alan R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jarvis, William R. A.
• Application Number:
  US08/316,520
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 514/730
• US Class Current: 514/730
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/05 Phenols cannabinoids A61K31/658
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0004 Screening or testing of compounds for diagnosis of disorders, assessment of conditions, e.g. renal clearance, gastric emptying, testing for diabetes, allergy, rheuma, pancreas functions

Abstract

The invention provides a method for diagnosing a somatization disorder in a patient. The method involves administering to the patient a plurality of concentrations of the chemosensory agent 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol, identifying at least a 5 decismel change in the threshold amount of the chemosensory agent detected by the patient, and correlating the change in detection of the chemosensory agent with at least one psychiatric disorder.

Claims

1. A method of diagnosing a somatization disorder in a patient having a chemosensory dysfunction, comprising:

administering a plurality of concentrations of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol to the patient to determine the patient'"'"'s threshold detection level for 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol;

comparing the threshold detection level of the patient with a standard threshold amount for 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol detected by a normal person of the same sex and age as the patient;

identifying at least a 5 decismel increase in the threshold detection level of the patient compared to the standard threshold amount for 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol; and

correlating the at least 5 decismel increase in the threshold detection level with a diagnosis of somatization disorder in the patient.

2. A method for confirming a somatization disorder in a patient, comprising:

administering a plurality of concentrations of 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol to the patient to determine the patient'"'"'s threshold detection level for 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol;

identifying at least a 5 decismel increase in the threshold detection level of the patient compared to the standard threshold amount for 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol; and

correlating the at least 5 decismel increase in the threshold detection level with a diagnosis of somatization disorder in the patient; and

administering a standard written psychological test diagnostic for somatization disorder to confirm the diagnosis of somatization disorder in the patient by the 3-methyl-5-phenyl-3-pentanol test.