Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
10:42
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
10.2K
Olfactory functioning in panic disorder
Emma Burón1, Antonio Bulbena2, Andrea Bulbena-Cabré3
1Autonomous University of Barcelona, Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|February 10, 2015
Summary
Patients with panic disorder (PD) exhibit heightened olfactory sensitivity, reactivity, and awareness compared to controls. These findings suggest a significant link between olfactory function and panic disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Olfactory function in panic disorder (PD) is under-researched.
- This study investigates olfactory sensitivity, reactivity, and awareness in PD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the olfactory function in individuals with panic disorder.
- To compare olfactory abilities between PD patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 41 PD patients and 41 controls completed the Sniffin' Sticks Test and olfactory questionnaires (AIO, EROL, OAS).
- Clinical symptom ratings were also collected.
Main Results:
- PD patients demonstrated lower olfactory detection thresholds (higher sensitivity), enhanced odor reactivity, and greater odor awareness.
- PD severity correlated with questionnaire ratings, not detection ability.
- Olfactory measures were generally intercorrelated.
Conclusions:
- PD patients show significant differences in olfactory function, indicating heightened sensitivity, reactivity, and awareness.
- Findings suggest shared neural substrates between olfactory processing and PD pathophysiology.
- Limitations include a single odorant tested and potential influences of comorbid conditions and medication.
More Related Videos
06:13Author Spotlight: Exploring Olfactory Influences on Corticospinal Excitability - Insights and Innovations in Neurological Research
Published on: January 19, 2024
1.7K
04:00Author Spotlight: Assessing the Olfactory Effects of Airborne Pollutants — Buried Food and Social Odor Tests
Published on: September 13, 2024
1.5K
Related Concept Videos
01:03Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
14.8K
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...
14.8K
01:27Panic Disorder
1.2K
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
1.2K
01:25Olfaction
50.1K
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 olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
50.1K
01:20Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
14.5K
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.
The olfactory...
The olfactory...
14.5K
01:15Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
9.5K
The limbic system, often called the "emotional brain," is a complex set of structures located deep within the brain. The intricate network of the limbic system supports a wide range of psychological functions, from emotional regulation to memory formation and sensory processing. This functional brain region encompasses specific parts of the diencephalon and the cerebrum, integrating the higher mental functions of the cerebral cortex with the primitive emotional responses of the deep brain...
9.5K
01:18Anxiety: Overview
1.3K
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.3K