Olfactory identification performance in individuals with psychometrically-defined schizotypy

While deficits in olfaction have been well documented in individuals with schizophrenia, less research has focused on olfactory identification performance in psychometrically-defined schizotypy. The Abbreviated Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire was used to define two groups of 26 individuals (62% female) reporting high and average levels of schizotypy. Overall group differences on the Brief Smell Identification Test did not approach statistical significance, and this finding did not differ within either sex. The findings may reflect either the abbreviated nature of the measures used, or a lack of reliable olfactory performance differences in schizotypy.