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Consequences of gaining olfactory function after lifelong anosmia
Robert Pellegrino1, Coralie Mignot1, Charalampos Georgiopoulos1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell & Taste Clinic, University of Dresden Medical School, Dresden, Germany.
Neurocase
|May 18, 2021
Summary
A rare case of lifelong anosmia resolved, enabling smell perception. Electrophysiological signals confirmed olfactory function, alongside reported phantosmia and altered odor perception.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Olfactory Research
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- Lifelong anosmia (inability to smell) is typically considered permanent.
- Functional anosmia, diagnosed in adolescence, presents a unique challenge for understanding olfactory development and recovery.
Observation:
- A patient diagnosed with functional anosmia at age 13 spontaneously developed a sense of smell at age 22.
- Objective testing revealed electrophysiological responses to specific odorants.
- The patient reported smelling non-trigeminal odors but also experienced phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations).
Findings:
- Demonstrated objective evidence of olfactory function recovery in an adult with lifelong anosmia.
- Highlighted a discrepancy between objective olfactory function and subjective olfactory experiences, including phantosmia.
- Indicated potential for neurogenesis and altered odor-memory associations in olfactory system recovery.
Implications:
- Challenges the notion of permanent olfactory loss in certain cases of functional anosmia.
- Suggests novel pathways for olfactory system plasticity and recovery.
- Opens avenues for research into the mechanisms of spontaneous olfactory restoration and associated phenomena like phantosmia.
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