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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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The Association Between Olfaction and Depression: A Systematic Review.

Preeti Kohli1, Zachary M Soler2, Shaun A Nguyen2

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This study reveals a bidirectional link between depression and smell dysfunction. Individuals with depression exhibit poorer olfactory function, while those with smell loss show increased depression symptoms correlating with severity.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • The relationship between olfaction and depression is complex, with prior research yielding inconsistent findings.
  • Few studies have investigated the reciprocal nature of the association between olfactory deficits and depressive symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the bidirectional relationship between depression and olfactory dysfunction.
  • To synthesize existing data on olfactory performance in depressed patients and depression levels in patients with olfactory dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature review was performed across three databases.
  • Included studies correlated olfaction and depression in patients with primary depression or primary olfactory dysfunction.
  • Meta-analysis of olfactory test scores (Sniffin' Sticks, 40-item Smell Identification Test) and depression inventories (Beck's Depression Inventory) was conducted.

Main Results:

  • Depressed patients demonstrated significantly lower olfactory threshold, discrimination, and identification scores compared to controls.
  • Patients with primary olfactory dysfunction showed a significant increase in Beck's Depression Inventory scores correlating with the severity of smell loss (hyposmia and anosmia).

Conclusions:

  • Depression is associated with impaired olfactory performance.
  • Olfactory dysfunction is linked to increased depressive symptoms, with severity worsening as smell loss progresses.
  • Findings support a significant bidirectional relationship between depression and olfaction.