Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 14, 2025
10:42
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
9.8K
Effect of intensive olfactory training for cognitive function in patients with dementia
Hyegyeong Cha1, Sisook Kim1, Hansong Kim2
1Department of Nursing, Namseoul University, Cheonan-si, Republic of Korea.
Geriatrics & Gerontology International
|November 8, 2021
Summary
Intensive olfactory training (IOT) improved depression, attention, memory, and language in dementia patients. This non-pharmacological approach shows promise for managing dementia symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Olfactory dysfunction is linked to neurodegenerative disorders.
- The efficacy of olfactory training for cognitive impairment in dementia remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an intensive olfactory training (IOT) protocol.
- To assess IOT's impact on cognitive domains in dementia patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of dementia patients (June-September 2020).
- Experimental group (n=34) underwent IOT (40 odors, twice daily for 15 days).
- Control group (n=31) received conservative management; cognitive and depression assessments pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- No significant baseline differences between groups.
- IOT group showed significant improvements in depression, attention, memory, and language.
- No significant improvements were observed in global cognition, frontal executive, or visuospatial functions.
Conclusions:
- Intensive olfactory training alleviates depression in dementia patients.
- IOT demonstrates potential for improving specific cognitive functions in dementia.
- Suggests IOT as a viable non-pharmacological intervention for dementia symptom management.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Olfaction
45.8K
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...
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
45.8K
01:03Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure
9.9K
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...
9.9K
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
293
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
293
01:30Cognitive Development During Adulthood
371
Cognitive development continues throughout adulthood, undergoing significant shifts across early, middle, and late stages. Individual transition occurs from adolescent idealism to pragmatic and adaptable thinking in early adulthood. During this period, individuals learn to integrate personal beliefs with the recognition that other perspectives are equally valid. Exposure to the complexities of modern society, diverse experiences, and higher education contribute to this adaptive thought process,...
371
01:20Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway
10.0K
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...
The olfactory...
10.0K
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
740
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
740