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Updated: May 7, 2026

Using Optogenetics to Reverse Neuroplasticity and Inhibit Cocaine Seeking in Rats
Published on: October 5, 2021
Olfactory cocainization is not an effective long-term treatment for phantosmia
Donald A Leopold1, David E Hornung
1Department of Surgery ENT division, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. donald.leopold@vtmednet.org.
Abstract:
Phantosmia, the perception of an odor when there are no odorants in the environment, can be a very debilitating symptom. In the 1960s, Zilstorff reported olfactory distortions could be treated by the topical application of a cocaine solution to the olfactory epithelium. In evaluating this treatment, we observed no long-term benefit using cocaine on 6 patients with phantosmia. Based on our observations, the patient's olfactory ability was not a determining factor in the initiation or quality of their phantosmia. Following topical cocainization, we observed a remarkable delay of hours to days in the return of olfactory ability, and when cocaine was applied to only 1 nostril, there was a decreased olfactory ability on the noncocainized side. These results may suggest the possibility that phantosmia is related to a central processing problem.
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