Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

49.1K
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...
49.1K
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

12.0K
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...
12.0K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

13.2K
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...
13.2K
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

975
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,...
975
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

762
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...
762
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

858
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
858

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) 2025 international guidelines for the management of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Journal of psychiatric research·2026
Same author

Neurobiological effects of microbial treatments within psychiatry: a systematic review.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2026
Same author

The association between body mass index and treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder: a CAN-BIND-1 study.

Journal of psychiatric research·2026
Same author

Lam Employment Absence and Productivity Scale (LEAPS): Analysis of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patients with major depressive disorder using data from the CAN-BIND-1 study.

Journal of affective disorders·2026
Same author

One-Year Actigraphy Study of Sleep and Rest-Activity Rhythms as Markers of Relapse in Depression.

JAMA psychiatry·2026
Same author

Assessing the long-term effects of microbial therapeutics as treatment within psychiatry: a systematic review.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

An Olfactory Preference Test for Measuring Olfactory Hedonic Biases in Mouse Models of Depression
06:27

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

Published on: July 11, 2025

1.1K

Olfactory Functioning and Depression: A Systematic Review.

Hannah Taalman1, Caroline Wallace1, Roumen Milev2

  • 1Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Frontiers in Psychiatry
|October 17, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Olfactory functioning may be impaired in individuals with depression, though research findings vary. Future studies need standardized methods to clarify the relationship between olfactory processing and depression.

Keywords:
depressionmajor depressive disorderolfactionolfactory functioningsmell

More Related Videos

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
08:33

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Published on: December 4, 2014

10.2K
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

10.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 20, 2026

An Olfactory Preference Test for Measuring Olfactory Hedonic Biases in Mouse Models of Depression
06:27

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

Published on: July 11, 2025

1.1K
Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders
08:33

Olfactory Neurons Obtained through Nasal Biopsy Combined with Laser-Capture Microdissection: A Potential Approach to Study Treatment Response in Mental Disorders

Published on: December 4, 2014

10.2K
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
10:42

A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

10.1K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Sensory Science

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction is documented in schizophrenia, prompting investigation into its role in depression.
  • Existing research on olfactory functioning in depression yields inconsistent results.
  • The precise impact of depression on olfactory processing remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and synthesize existing literature on olfactory processing in depression.
  • To determine if olfactory processing differs between individuals with and without depression.
  • To identify specific aspects of central and peripheral olfactory processing affected by depression.

Main Methods:

  • A literature review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAL, and PsychINFO databases.
  • Fifteen relevant manuscripts comparing olfactory processing in depressed and non-depressed individuals were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A majority of the reviewed studies (60%) indicated significant differences in overall olfactory functioning between depressed and non-depressed individuals.
  • The findings suggest a potential link between depression and altered olfactory capabilities.

Conclusions:

  • Current research lacks definitive conclusions regarding the specific nature of olfactory alterations in depression due to methodological variations.
  • Standardized methodologies are crucial for future research to differentiate central and peripheral olfactory processing.
  • Uniform research approaches are needed to establish a clearer understanding of the relationship between olfactory function and depression.