Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

Olfactory loss in aging

Nancy E Rawson1

  • 1Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. rawson@monell.org

Science of Aging Knowledge Environment : SAGE KE
|February 14, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Age-related olfactory loss, or smell impairment, is common but not inevitable. Addressing chronic diseases, medications, and other health issues may reduce the prevalence of smell loss in older adults.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology
  • Sensory Biology

Background:

  • Olfactory loss is a frequent complaint associated with aging.
  • Causes include anatomical changes in olfactory structures and altered nasal mucus.
  • Aging may also affect receptor proteins, ion channels, and signaling molecules in the olfactory pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the causes and prevalence of age-related olfactory loss.
  • To explore potential strategies for preventing or alleviating olfactory deficits.
  • To examine the role of age-associated factors in olfactory impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on olfactory function and aging.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to olfactory loss, including diseases and medications.
  • Exploration of potential interventions and preventative measures.

Main Results:

  • Olfactory loss can stem from structural changes or altered cellular environments.
  • Aging impacts neural elements involved in processing odorant information.
  • Chronic diseases, medications, and dental/sinus issues are identified as primary contributors.

Conclusions:

  • Age-related olfactory loss may not be an unavoidable consequence of aging.
  • Addressing age-associated health issues could mitigate olfactory impairment.
  • There is optimism for reducing smell loss prevalence by managing related health conditions.

More Related Videos

Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice06:40

Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice

Published on: June 15, 2015

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
The Effect of Aging on Tissues01:19

The Effect of Aging on Tissues

Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Aging01:26

Aging

Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Unrenewable Cells00:50

Unrenewable Cells

In humans, the photoreceptor cells of the eye and sensory hair cells of the ear lack stem cells. These cells are thus unrenewable and cannot be replaced when they are damaged or destroyed.
Photoreceptors
The retina is composed of several layers and contains specialized cells called photoreceptors. The photoreceptors (rods and cones) change their membrane potential when stimulated by light energy. There are two types of photoreceptors—rods and cones—which differ in the shape of their outer...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...