Cerebral imaging and olfactory disorders: a review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Olfactory disorders are frequently underestimated in clinical practice.
• These disorders are associated with various neurological conditions, making their evaluation diagnostically relevant.
• While psychophysical tests are established, functional brain imaging for olfaction is an emerging field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current literature on cerebral imaging studies in patients with neurological disorders and olfactory dysfunction.
• To highlight the diagnostic potential of olfactory system evaluation using brain imaging techniques.
• To examine the role of olfactory dysfunction in specific neurological diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of published studies utilizing functional brain imaging with olfactory stimuli.
• Analysis of cerebral imaging techniques and their application to olfactory processes.
• Examination of neurological disorders associated with olfactory deficits.

Main Results:

• Olfactory dysfunction is present in a spectrum of neurological disorders.
• Cerebral imaging studies reveal alterations in olfactory processing in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, migraine, multiple chemical sensitivity, and schizophrenia.
• Functional brain imaging is an emerging tool for understanding and potentially diagnosing olfactory dysfunction in neurological diseases.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory dysfunction is a significant, though often neglected, symptom in neurological disorders.
• Cerebral imaging provides valuable insights into the neural basis of olfactory dysfunction in various diseases.
• Further research into functional brain imaging for olfaction can enhance diagnostic capabilities for neurological conditions.