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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

49.6K
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...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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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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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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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.
The olfactory...
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Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

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Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
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Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

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Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
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Long-term Depression01:05

Long-term Depression

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Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An Olfactory Preference Test for Measuring Olfactory Hedonic Biases in Mouse Models of Depression
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An Olfactory Preference Test for Measuring Olfactory Hedonic Biases in Mouse Models of Depression

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Olfaction as a marker for depression.

Ilona Croy1, Thomas Hummel2

  • 1Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.

Journal of Neurology
|July 10, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Depression is linked to olfactory dysfunction, potentially involving reduced olfactory bulb (OB) volume and impaired olfactory attention. The OB may serve as a marker for depression vulnerability, suggesting new therapeutic avenues.

Keywords:
DepressionFlavorNoseOlfactory bulbSmell

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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
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Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Sensory Systems

Background:

  • Olfactory and emotional processing share neural pathways.
  • Depression frequently presents with altered olfactory function, often negative.
  • Observed changes include reduced activation in olfactory areas and olfactory bulb (OB) volume decrease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the bidirectional interaction between olfaction and depression.
  • To investigate the olfactory bulb (OB) as a potential biomarker for depression vulnerability.
  • To identify potential therapeutic strategies targeting olfaction in depression.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on olfaction and depression.
  • Analysis of anatomical and functional correlates between olfactory and emotional pathways.
  • Hypothesizing mechanisms of interaction, including attention and receptor turnover.

Main Results:

  • Olfactory dysfunction in depression may stem from reduced olfactory attention and receptor turnover.
  • The olfactory bulb (OB) volume might indicate vulnerability to depression.
  • The relationship is complex, with difficulties in establishing causality.

Conclusions:

  • Olfaction and depression interact significantly, impacting olfactory function and potentially indicating depression risk.
  • Further longitudinal and intervention studies are crucial to clarify the causal relationship.
  • Olfactory-based interventions may offer novel therapeutic strategies for depression.