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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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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.
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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
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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.
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Related Experiment Video

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Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice
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Aging in the olfactory system.

Arie S Mobley1, Diego J Rodriguez-Gil1, Fumiaki Imamura2

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.

Trends in Neurosciences
|December 24, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Aging impairs human smell, but the cellular and molecular causes are unclear. Research in rodents explores odorant receptor changes and brain activity to understand olfactory decline and find solutions.

Keywords:
adult neurogenesisagingodorant receptorolfactory cortexrostral migratory streamsynaptic organization

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory research
  • Aging biology

Background:

  • Human olfactory acuity declines significantly with age.
  • The cellular and molecular mechanisms behind age-related smell loss are poorly understood.
  • Despite progress in studying young olfactory systems, aged systems remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of olfactory decline in aging.
  • To explore differences between young and aged rodents to inform human aging studies.
  • To identify potential research directions for understanding and addressing age-related olfactory deficits.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of odorant receptor (OR) expression in aged versus young rodents.
  • Investigation of synaptic organization changes in the aging olfactory system.
  • Examination of adult neurogenesis in the context of aging.
  • Assessment of the contribution of cortical representation to olfactory function during aging.

Main Results:

  • Preliminary studies in rodents reveal age-related differences in olfactory system components.
  • Emerging research points to changes in odorant receptor expression and synaptic structure.
  • Alterations in adult neurogenesis and cortical processing are implicated in olfactory aging.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of olfactory decline is crucial.
  • Rodent models offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of aging olfactory systems.
  • Further research into ORs, neurogenesis, and cortical function is needed to address age-related smell loss.