ABSTRACT
Objective@#Problematic internet gaming in adolescents is associated with various negative outcomes, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and attention problems. We hypothesized that game coding education, by improving adolescents’ self-esteem, would be more effective than game literacy education in mitigating problematic internet gaming. @*Methods@#A total of 126 adolescents who voluntarily applied for the game coding education and game literacy education program of the “Visiting Game Class” project operated by the Game Cultural Foundation participated in this study. We collected data on demographics, gaming patterns, and psychological status, including positive or negative perceptions of online games, depression, and anxiety. We designated those with scores higher than 40 on Young’s Internet Addiction Scale as the “problematic internet gaming” group. @*Results@#Only game coding education was significantly effective in decreasing internet use, lowering depressive symptoms, and improving self-esteem. In the hierarchical logistic regression analysis, more frequent education time, coding education, stronger negative perceptions of gaming, and high self-esteem predicted decreased internet gaming among participants exhibiting problematic internet gameplay. @*Conclusion@#Game coding education effectively mitigates problematic gaming by improving adolescents’ self-esteem. Thus, it may be beneficial to increase education time and devise game education programs tailored to adolescents’ psychological status.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Side effects from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, such as pain, headache, nausea, and fatigue, have caused vaccine hesitancy. Research on the effects of psychological factors on COVID-19 vaccine side effects is insufficient. This study aims to investigate the effect of psychological factors on COVID-19 vaccination side effects. @*Methods@#We recruited a total of 226 individuals registered for the COVID-19 vaccine in Seoul, South Korea, for this study. Participants completed a pre-vaccination questionnaire, including the 5C antecedents of vaccination, and a survey of psychological factors (Patient Health Questionnaire–9 [PHQ-9], Generalized Anxiety Disorder–7, Somatic symptom amplification scale [SSAS], and Illness Attitude Scale [IAS]). After vaccination, participants completed an online questionnaire regarding vaccine side effects at 20 minutes, three days, and seven days after vaccination. We added a discrete set of hierarchical variables with vaccine side effects as the dependent variable to the hierarchical regression analysis: demographics for Model 1, 5C antecedents of vaccination for Model 2, and psychological factors for Model 3. @*Results@#Our results indicated that the risk factors for side effects 20 minutes after vaccination were young age, high PHQ, and SSAS scores. Risk factors for side effects three days after vaccination were young age, high constraints, and calculation, and the risk factor for side effects at seven days was a high IAS score. @*Conclusion@#Our study confirmed that there is a significant relationship between psychological factors and COVID-19 vaccine side effects in chronological order. Psychosocial factors should be examined when assessing side-effect reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#This study aimed to identify the psychiatric comorbidity status of adult patients diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and determine the impact of comorbidities on neuropsychological outcomes in ADHD. @*Methods@#The study participants were 124 adult patients with ADHD. Clinical psychiatric assessments were performed by two boardcertified psychiatrists in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. All participants were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus version 5.0.0 to evaluate comorbidities. After screening, neuropsychological outcomes were assessed using the Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT) and the Korean version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (K-WAIS-IV). @*Results@#Mood disorders (38.7%) were the most common comorbidity of ADHD, followed by anxiety (18.5%) and substance use disorders (13.7%). The ADHD with comorbidities group showed worse results on the Perceptual Organization Index and Working Memory Index sections of the K-WAIS than the ADHD-alone group (p=0.015 and p=0.024, respectively). In addition, the presence of comorbidities was associated with worse performance on simple visual commission errors in the CAT tests (p=0.024). @*Conclusion@#These findings suggest that psychiatric comorbidities are associated with poor neuropsychological outcomes in adult patients with ADHD, highlighting the need to identify comorbidities in these patients.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Music is regarded as a beneficial tool for assessing the clinical symptoms and communication skills in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism. The present study developed a music-based attention test (MAT) for individuals with autism using music parameters and the algorithm of the comprehensive attention test (CAT). @*Methods@#We recruited 51 autistic individuals and 50 neurotypical individuals to participate in the CAT, MAT, and social intelligence tests. The reliability and validity of the MAT were assessed using exploratory factor analysis, concurrent validity, and criterion-related validity. @*Results@#The MAT had sound internal consistency (high Cronbach’s α = 0.948). In addition, the MAT had suitable concurrent validity in the correlation between CAT and MAT, as well as good criterion validity when attention was measured using the MAT and was compared between autistic individuals and neurotypical individuals. Attention evaluated using the MAT was associated with the social quotient in individuals with autism. @*Conclusions@#The MAT could be a relevant tool for gauging attention in individuals with ASD.Furthermore, attention determined using the MAT may be correlated with social quotient in autistic individuals. Future studies should consider that using music in the field of attention could improve the social quotient of individuals with autism.
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#Fewer studies are available on geriatric patients’ gustatory dysfunction than on their olfactory dysfunction. Here we aimed to evaluate the relationship between subjective gustatory dysfunction and subjective or objective olfactory dysfunction according to cognitive function in geriatric patients.Subjects and Method We prospectively enrolled patients who underwent both cognitive function test and olfactory function test between August 2018 and May 2019. The correlation between subjective gustatory dysfunction and subjective olfactory dysfunction or conventional olfactory function scores was evaluated for geriatric patients with or withhout cognitive dysfunction. Participants with a threshold-discrimination-identification (TDI) score (<21) on the YSK olfactory function test were diagnosed with olfactory dysfunction. Subjective gustatory function and olfactory function were evaluated using the visual analog scale. The Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Packet and Mini-Mental State Examination were administered to all participants. Overall, 120 patients (27 male, 93 female; mean age, 73.00±7.50 years) were enrolled. @*Results@#We found that the subjective gustatory function score did not correlate with the threshold, discrimination, identification, or the summation of TDI scores of the olfactory function test but was significantly associated with the subjective olfactory function score (p<0.001). Further, there was no significant correlation between the subjective gustatory function score and cognitive function. @*Conclusion@#The subjective olfactory function score was the only factor significantly correlated with the subjective gustatory function score. Based on these results, we suggest evaluating gustatory function in geriatric patients with olfactory dysfunction.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Aerobic exercise may be associated with changes in brain activity within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAN). We hypothesized that changes in functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAN might be most effectively activated by moderate-intensity exercise. @*Methods@#Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and visuospatial attention tests after resting were performed before and after each of moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercises (10 min each) in 15 healthy male volunteers. @*Results@#The reaction time during the attention test increased significantly, and the rate of correct responses decreased from moderate-intensity exercise condition to high-intensity exercise condition. FC within the DMN under high-intensity exercise condition was higher than that under pre-exercise and moderate-intensity exercise conditions. FC within the DAN under moderate-intensity exercise condition was the highest, whereas FC between the DMN and DAN under moderate-intensity exercise condition was the lowest. Changes in cognitive domain functions were associated with changes in FC between the DMN and DAN. @*Conclusion@#Our results support the inverted-U hypothesis of maximum arousal efficacy during moderate exercise. Both cognitive domains, namely, the attention system and brain activity domains, may be better under moderate-intensity exercise than under high-intensity exercise.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Emotion recognition is essential to the social adjustment and social interaction of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Given that music is a medium for expressing and conveying human emotion, we conducted this preliminary study to identify musical passages representing the basic human emotions of happiness, sadness, and anger, with the goal of developing a music-based emotion perception scale for IDDs. @*Methods@#To identify musical passages for emotion perception, 20 certified music therapists evaluated 100 selected musical passages and established 60 pieces that yielded the highest agreement for each emotion category. During the second phase of this study, 300 neurotypical participants rated 60 passages in terms of the perceived type and intensity of emotions expressed. @*Results@#The 60 passages showed high reliability and were statistically classified into three factors: happiness, sadness, and anger. The k-means cluster analysis yielded a cut-off score of 41 for the low emotion perception group (F = 1120.63, P < 0.001). The hierarchical logistic regression analysis revealed that only model 3 (musical passages) was significantly associated with low emotion perception (step χ 2 = 227.8, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#The selected musical passages demonstrated high reliability and established three factors for identifying perceptions of happiness, sadness, and anger. Neither psychological status nor individual demographic characteristics affected the emotion perception results.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Facial affect recognition is associated with neuropsychological status and psychiatric diseases. We hypothesized that facial affect recognition is associated with psychological status and perception of other affects. @*Methods@#A total of 80 images depicting facial affect, including 20 Neutral, 20 Angry, 20 Fear, and 20 Sad, were screened for use in our research. A total of 100 healthy individuals were asked to rate these images using a 10-point Likert scale and complete psychological scales assessing the emotional statuses and cognitive functions. @*Results@#The participants’ emotional state of aggression, attention, and impulsivity may have been associated with their interpretation of the Angry facial expressions. The participants often rated the Angry facial expressions as Fear. The participants rated Fear images as Angry or Sad. In response to a Sad facial expression, the participants reported psychological statuses of attention and impulsivity which were associated with the facial expression rating. The participants rated the Sad expression as Angry or Fear. @*Conclusion@#The psychological statuses of the participants were significantly correlated with their interpretation of facial affects. In particular, a psychological state of attention was often correlated with incorrect affect ratings. Attention and impulsivity could affect the rating of the sad facial expressions.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate whether somatic symptoms in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with a dissociative pattern of functional connectivity (FC) within the default mode network (DMN) and whether methylphenidate administration can improve clinical and somatic symptoms. We also evaluated whether the improvement of somatic symptoms is associated with increased FC within the DMN in response to methylphenidate treatment. @*Methods@#Fifteen male adolescents with somatic symptoms of ADHD and 15 male adolescents with ADHD without somatic symptoms were included. At baseline and after 6 months of methylphenidate treatment, all adolescents were asked to complete questionnaires for the Korean version of the Dupaul’s ADHD rating scale, the symptom checklist-90-revised-somatization subscales, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Additionally, a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan was conducted. @*Results@#Methylphenidate treatment improved clinical and somatic symptoms in adolescents with ADHD. In addition, it increased brain FC within the DMN from the posterior cingulate cortex (posterior DMN) to the middle prefrontal cortex (anterior DMN). The improvement of somatic symptoms was associated with FC within the DMN from the posterior cingulate cortex to the middle prefrontal cortex in ADHD adolescents with somatic symptoms. @*Conclusion@#Methylphenidate increased brain FC between the anterior and posterior DMN. The improvement of somatic symptoms in adolescents with ADHD was associated with FC within the DMN. The DMN in adolescents with ADHD seems to be associated with the severity of the clinical and somatic symptoms of ADHD.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, several studies have found that Internet usage and gaming times have increased among adolescents. Parents’ Internet literacy and attitudes toward Internet gaming have been reported to affect children’s Internet gaming disorder (IGD). We hypothesized that parents’ attitudes toward Internet use and gaming would affect the prevalence of IGD among adolescents. @*Methods@#A total of 199 mothers of children who played Internet games were surveyed online to gather information regarding their demographic characteristics, children’s Internet use patterns, psychological factors, and Internet gaming literacy. @*Results@#Among adolescents, increased Internet usage or gaming time was not associated with IGD, but the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was. Among parents, anxiety, depression, and family togetherness were not related to IGD, but a positive perception of gaming protected against the development of IGD, whereas a negative perception was a risk factor for IGD. @*Conclusion@#Increased gaming time neither causes nor correlates with IGD in adolescents, even though ADHD may be a risk factor for IGD. Parents’ positive or negative perceptions of gaming can be protective or present a risk factor, respectively, for their children’s development of IGD.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Smartphone use patterns may predict daily life efficacy and performance improvements in sports. Additionally, personal characteristics may be associated with smartphone overuse. @*Methods@#We investigated the correlation between the temperament and character inventory (TCI) and academic performance using smartphone log data. We hypothesized that the elite and general groups, divided based on academic performance, differed according to the TCI and downloadable smartphone apps (applications). Additionally, we hypothesized a correlation between smartphone app usage patterns and TCI. A total of 151 students provided smartphone log data of the previous four weeks. They also completed the TCI and provided academic records of the previous year. @*Results@#The first and second most frequently used apps by both groups of students were social networking and entertainment, respectively. Elite students scored higher on novelty seeking, reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, and self-transcendence than general students. In all participants, the usage time of serious apps was correlated with the scores for novelty seeking (r = 0.32, P < 0.007), reward dependence (r = 0.32, P < 0.007), and self-transcendence (r = 0.35, P < 0.006). In the elite group, the usage time of serious apps was correlated with the scores for novelty seeking (r = 0.45, P < 0.001), reward dependence (r = 0.39, P = 0.022), and self-transcendence (r = 0.35, P = 0.031). In the general group, the usage time of serious apps was correlated only with self-transcendence (r = 0.32, P < 0.007). @*Conclusion@#High usage time of serious apps can help sports majors to excel academically. Particularly among sports majors, serious apps are related to activity, the desire for rewards and recognition, and the tendency to transcend themselves.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Education on internet games for parents and internet game literacy are needed to prevent problematic internet game playing in Korea. We created an 18-item Internet Game Literacy Scale (IGLS). It is a valuable tool for assessing the positive and negative aspects of internet game play. We aimed to determine the validity of the IGLS and the cut-off for the tendency for internet gameplay. @*Methods@#An online research company gathered data from 300 participants. Factor analysis, including Cronbach's α and consistency coefficient, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to verify the 18 items of the IGLS. Additionally, a K-means cluster analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values for positive and negative IGLS scores. @*Results@#The 18 items of the IGLS were proven to be reliable, as evidenced by a high Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.892). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.903, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was good (χ2 = 1,623.314, P 0.4. In the analysis of the validity of the 18-item IGLS with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (maximum likelihood estimation, with an oblique method), the fit indices of the standard three-factor model reached acceptable standards. The cut-off point of the total score between the low positive and average positive groups was 23, and the cut-off point of the total score between the average positive and high positive groups was 30. The cut-off point of the total score between the low negative and the average negative groups was 24. The cut-off point of the total score between the average negative group and the high negative group was 32. @*Conclusion@#The study assessed the reliability and validity of the IGLS and suggested a cut-off for low, average, and high Internet game literacy degree with 300 Korean adults aged 21–49 years. The current results suggest that the IGLS has good internal consistency and a proper cut-off for positive and negative internet game literacy degrees.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#In somatic symptom disorder (SSD), cognitive dysfunction is related to perceptive distortion that excessively amplifies bodily sensations. The association between high body mass index (BMI) and cognitive dysfunction could be attributed to underlying systemic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate whether patients with SSD and high BMI exhibit increased somatic symptom severity and whether this is mediated by cognitive dysfunction. @*Methods@#This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 patients with SSD (20 males/34 females, mean age ± standard deviation: 40.65 ± 13.23 years). Participants’ BMI, laboratory data including complete blood count and lipid profile, results from the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, and scores of the Korean-Symptom Checklist 95-Somatization (SCL95-SOM) were analyzed. We performed a path analysis to evaluate BMI as a predictor of somatic symptoms. @*Results@#In a path analysis, the SCL95-SOM score was directly influenced by working memory (b = −0.326, p = 0.032), which was significantly influenced by BMI (b = −0.338, p = 0.009), although there was no direct effect of BMI on the SCL95-SOM score. The path analytic model showed a close fit to the data with the following values: χ2 (df) = 0.918 (1), p = 0.338, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000 (＜ 0.001), and comparative fit index = 1.00. @*Conclusion@#Patients with SSD and high BMI may exhibit increased somatic symptom severity, and this is mediated by working memory dysfunction. Weight management may help improve symptoms in patients with SSD and high BMI.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Education on internet games for parents and internet game literacy are needed to prevent problematic internet game playing in Korea. We created an 18-item Internet Game Literacy Scale (IGLS). It is a valuable tool for assessing the positive and negative aspects of internet game play. We aimed to determine the validity of the IGLS and the cut-off for the tendency for internet gameplay. @*Methods@#An online research company gathered data from 300 participants. Factor analysis, including Cronbach's α and consistency coefficient, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted to verify the 18 items of the IGLS. Additionally, a K-means cluster analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values for positive and negative IGLS scores. @*Results@#The 18 items of the IGLS were proven to be reliable, as evidenced by a high Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.892). The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was 0.903, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was good (χ2 = 1,623.314, P 0.4. In the analysis of the validity of the 18-item IGLS with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (maximum likelihood estimation, with an oblique method), the fit indices of the standard three-factor model reached acceptable standards. The cut-off point of the total score between the low positive and average positive groups was 23, and the cut-off point of the total score between the average positive and high positive groups was 30. The cut-off point of the total score between the low negative and the average negative groups was 24. The cut-off point of the total score between the average negative group and the high negative group was 32. @*Conclusion@#The study assessed the reliability and validity of the IGLS and suggested a cut-off for low, average, and high Internet game literacy degree with 300 Korean adults aged 21–49 years. The current results suggest that the IGLS has good internal consistency and a proper cut-off for positive and negative internet game literacy degrees.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#In somatic symptom disorder (SSD), cognitive dysfunction is related to perceptive distortion that excessively amplifies bodily sensations. The association between high body mass index (BMI) and cognitive dysfunction could be attributed to underlying systemic inflammation. We aimed to evaluate whether patients with SSD and high BMI exhibit increased somatic symptom severity and whether this is mediated by cognitive dysfunction. @*Methods@#This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 patients with SSD (20 males/34 females, mean age ± standard deviation: 40.65 ± 13.23 years). Participants’ BMI, laboratory data including complete blood count and lipid profile, results from the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV, and scores of the Korean-Symptom Checklist 95-Somatization (SCL95-SOM) were analyzed. We performed a path analysis to evaluate BMI as a predictor of somatic symptoms. @*Results@#In a path analysis, the SCL95-SOM score was directly influenced by working memory (b = −0.326, p = 0.032), which was significantly influenced by BMI (b = −0.338, p = 0.009), although there was no direct effect of BMI on the SCL95-SOM score. The path analytic model showed a close fit to the data with the following values: χ2 (df) = 0.918 (1), p = 0.338, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000 (＜ 0.001), and comparative fit index = 1.00. @*Conclusion@#Patients with SSD and high BMI may exhibit increased somatic symptom severity, and this is mediated by working memory dysfunction. Weight management may help improve symptoms in patients with SSD and high BMI.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#This study aims to empirically determine if indirect exposure to client violence has significant negative effects on social workers’ posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) the same way direct victimization does. @*Methods@#Using a sample of 1,359 social workers drawn from the data collected by the Seoul Association of Social Workers, this study employs descriptive statistics to examine the prevalence of indirect experiences with client violence, and utilizes a series of hierarchical regression analyses to demonstrate the potential impact of indirect exposure to client violence on PTSD. To assess the severity of PTSD symptoms in participants, the Korean version of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R-K) was employed. @*Results@#A descriptive analysis shows that 12.4% of the sample indirectly experienced client violence by witnessing it or hearing about a violent incident, whereas 6.0% were directly victimized. Hierarchical regression analyses indicate that direct experience (B=4.548, p<0.05) and indirect experience (B=7.297, p<0.001) of client violence have a significant association with the scores on IES-R-K. An investigation of the interaction terms between experiences of client violence and violence-prevention training illustrates that such training significantly moderates the influence on the scores on IES-R-K from indirect exposure to client violence (B=-8.639, p<0.01). @*Conclusion@#Social workers who are indirectly exposed to client violence experience PTSD symptoms comparable to their colleagues who were directly victimized. Further, violence-prevention training has greater ameliorative effects with regard to indirect experience of client violence than for direct victimization.
ABSTRACT
Objectives@#：The purpose of this study was to find out how demographic factors, suicide attempt patterns, psychiatric history and management of suicide attempters affect the completion of emergency department (ED) based case management program. @*Methods@#：Among the patients who attempted suicide and visited the emergency department of Chung-Ang University Hospital from June 1, 2018 to May 31, 2021, 661 patients who agreed to case management were studied. After being discharged from the emergency department, subjects were registered for an eight-week follow-up service program. Hierarchical logistic regression analysis was conducted with demographic factors, suicide attempt patterns, psychiatric history and management as independent variables, and completion of case program as dependent variables. @*Results@#：Suicide attempt pattern had the most significant influence on the completion of case management program, followed by demographic factors, psychiatric history and management. Those who completed the case management program were significantly more likely to have suicide plans in the future, more authentic in sui-cide attempts, and had higher proportion of past suicide attempts than those who did not complete the program. @*Conclusions@#：To ensure that the subjects complete the follow-up project program and get connected to community services, an individualized approach with consideration of suicide attempt patterns, demographic factors, and psychiatric history is needed.
ABSTRACT
Olfactory impairment occurs in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, and olfactory function tests are performed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. However, the diagnosis and patient status are not currently outlined for vascular dementia, and many physicians do not consider concurrent vascular dementia in patients complaining of olfactory dysfunction. Here, we report a case of vascular dementia with no symptoms of dementia other than olfactory dysfunction. This case suggested that the olfactory function test is helpful not only for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease but also for the early diagnosis of vascular dementia.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#We sought to determine if the links between and within the default mode network (DMN) and dorsal attention network (DAT) exhibited different conditions according to catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene polymorphism in relationship to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. @*Methods@#Fifty-seven children with ADHD and 48 healthy controls (HCs) were administered an intelligence test, the Children’s Depression Inventory, the Korean ADHD rating scale, and continuous performance test. Resting-state brain functional MRI scans were obtained, and COMT genotyping was performed to distinguish valine carriers and methionine homozygotes. @*Results@#Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed increased ADHD scale scores, increased visual commission errors, and increased functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN and DAT. Compared to all children with ADHD, children with the methionine homozygote and those who were valine carriers showed increased FC within the DMN and DAT and decreased FC between the DMN and DAT. FC within the DMN was also increased in HC valine carriers compared to HC children with the methionine homozygote, and in children with ADHD who were valine carriers compared to HC valine carriers. @*Conclusion@#We observed increased brain connectivity within the DMN and DAT and altered brain connectivity within and between the DMN and DAT associated with COMT polymorphism in children with ADHD.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#We aimed to find the optimal cut-off scores for screening of odor detection threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification tests for detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in Korean elderly. @*Methods@#A total of 195 elderly people were divided into three groups: the normal cognition (NC), MCI, and dementia groups. All participants underwent neurocognitive and olfactory function tests. We used k-means cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to identify the most appropriate cut-off value. @*Results@#To distinguish the MCI from NC groups, odor identification [area under the curve (AUC)=0.670, p<0.007] with a cut-off point of 7 showed greater validity for screening (sensitivity/specificity=0.462/0.837) than did other olfactory function tests. To distinguish the MCI and dementia from NC as well, odor identification (AUC=0.817, p=0.002) with a cut-off point of 7 showed the highest validity for screening (0.785/0.654). To distinguish MCI from AD, an odor detection threshold (AUC=0.722, p=0.001) with a cut-off point of 2 showed the highest validity for screening (0.785/0.654). @*Conclusion@#Olfactory function tests may be a useful screening tool for cognitive decline before clinical symptoms of dementia have completely developed. This tool can be used as a supplementary tool to enhance the sensitivity of traditional cognitive tests to screen for dementia.