Development story of smell identification tests for Japanese: from classification of everyday odors to Open Essence

Abstract

In this paper, we introduced the process from the dawn to the present regarding development of smell identification tests for Japanese. Smell identification tests require the use of odors that are familiar to patients or participants. Therefore, classification of everyday odors for Japanese became the basis for the development of a card-type odor presentation kit, a stick-type odor presentation kit (product name: OSIT-J), and Open Essence. The developed smell identification tests have been implemented and are used in the medical field. Finally, we mentioned current efforts toward pharmaceutical approval.