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Updated: May 20, 2026

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
Intranasal trigeminal chemosensitivity in patients with postviral and post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction
Yuanyuan Ren1, Ling Yang, Yichen Guo
1Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Patients with olfactory dysfunction (OD) exhibit reduced trigeminal nerve sensitivity, as indicated by event-related potentials (ERPs). Age and the cause of OD, such as post-viral or post-traumatic origins, further influence trigeminal nerve function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is prevalent in rhinology.
- Chemosensitivity is effectively evaluated using event-related potentials (ERPs).
- The trigeminal nerve plays a crucial role in intranasal sensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in intranasal trigeminal sense among patients with post-viral OD (PVOD) and post-traumatic OD (PTOD).
- To assess the relationship between olfactory function and trigeminal sensitivity.
- To explore the impact of age, etiology, and olfactory status on trigeminal sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- 96 participants (30 healthy, 66 with OD) aged 20-65 were studied.
- Utilized T&T olfactometer, Sniffin' Sticks test, and trigeminal ERPs (tERPs).
- Evaluated trigeminal sensitivity across different factors in healthy individuals and OD patients.
Main Results:
- OD patients demonstrated higher trigeminal thresholds compared to controls.
- tERPs showed increased N1/P2 latencies and decreased amplitudes in OD patients.
- Older individuals exhibited longer latencies and lower amplitudes; PTOD patients had poorer olfactory function and reduced trigeminal sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The olfactory and intranasal trigeminal systems are interconnected.
- OD patients exhibit decreased trigeminal sensitivity, evidenced by altered tERPs.
- Age, etiology, and olfactory status differentially impact trigeminal sensitivity.
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