[Obesity, metabolic syndrome and olfactory perception]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Metabolic Disorders
• Sensory Systems Biology

Background:

• Obesity and metabolic syndrome are significant global health concerns.
• Their impact on the central nervous system is increasingly studied.
• The effects on sensory systems, particularly olfaction, remain under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between obesity/metabolic syndrome and olfactory system dysfunction.
• To explore preclinical and clinical evidence supporting this link.
• To investigate potential biological mechanisms involved.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical (animal) and clinical (human) studies.
• Analysis of research investigating the biological underpinnings of olfactory changes in obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Main Results:

• Obese individuals frequently exhibit hyposmia (reduced sense of smell) compared to healthy controls.
• Olfactory alterations are observed in obese rodents and animal models of metabolic syndrome.
• Evidence suggests a significant impact of obesity and metabolic syndrome on olfactory system function.

Conclusions:

• Obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked to impaired olfactory system function.
• Olfaction plays a role in appetite, food intake, and satiety, thus influencing obesity development.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the causal mechanisms.