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

44.8K
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...
44.8K
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

9.5K
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...
9.5K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

9.2K
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...
9.2K
Tactile and Chemical Senses01:27

Tactile and Chemical Senses

342
Tactile senses encompass touch, temperature, and pain, each mediated by specific receptors. Touch receptors detect mechanical energy or pressure against the skin. Sensory fibers from these receptors enter the spinal cord and relay information to the brain stem. Here, most fibers cross over to the opposite side of the brain. The touch information then moves to the thalamus, which projects a map of the body's surface onto the somatosensory areas of the parietal lobes in the cerebral cortex.
342
Neural Regulation01:37

Neural Regulation

39.7K
Digestion begins with a cephalic phase that prepares the digestive system to receive food. When our brain processes visual or olfactory information about food, it triggers impulses in the cranial nerves innervating the salivary glands and stomach to prepare for food.
39.7K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Building Towards Initiation, Moderation, De-Escalation and Cessation of Disease-Modifying Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis in Greece: An Expert Panel Consensus Meeting.

Brain sciences·2026
Same author

The Use of Biomarkers to Justify the Choice of the Proper Biologic Agent for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Systematic Review.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2026
Same author

Tubomanometry and Symptom Outcomes in Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Associated with Chronic Nasal Disease.

Audiology research·2026
Same author

Impact of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> and metabolic syndrome-related mast cell activation on cardiovascular diseases.

Frontiers in gastroenterology (Lausanne, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Advanced Research in Neuroprotection.

Biomedicines·2026
Same author

Outcome Predictors in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy Associated With Multiple Sclerosis Treatments: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2025

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

9.7K

Smell as a Disease Marker in Multiple Sclerosis.

Athanasia Printza1, Marina Boziki2, Constantinos Valsamidis1

  • 11st Otolaryngology Department, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|September 9, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Smell dysfunction, or hyposmia, is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and correlates with disease severity and duration. Olfactory tests can help track MS progression.

Keywords:
cognitive functiondisease markeridentificationmultiple sclerosisnasal symptomsolfactionolfactory thresholdpatient-reported-outcome measuresquality of lifesmell

More Related Videos

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

22.1K
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

11.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 29, 2025

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

9.7K
Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
07:27

Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease

Published on: August 25, 2014

22.1K
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
09:41

Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Published on: July 19, 2019

11.5K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Neurology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Existing data indicate an elevated risk of olfactory impairment in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
  • Smell dysfunction may serve as a potential disease marker for MS.
  • Understanding the relationship between olfactory function and MS progression is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate smell dysfunction as a potential disease marker in multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To assess the correlation between olfactory impairment and MS disease characteristics.
  • To evaluate the impact of MS on olfactory function.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional, case-control study involving 115 pwMS and 56 matched controls.
  • Participants completed validated questionnaires for nasal obstruction, symptoms, and olfaction-related quality of life.
  • Olfactory function was assessed using the "Sniffin' sticks" test (odor threshold, discrimination, identification, and total TDI score). Disease characteristics, cognitive function, and emotional status were recorded.

Main Results:

  • 30.8% of pwMS exhibited hyposmia (TDI < 30.75).
  • pwMS showed significantly lower odor discrimination (OD) and total TDI scores compared to controls.
  • Hyposmia correlated negatively with MS disease severity (EDSS) and duration. Information processing speed (SDMT) correlated positively with olfactory test scores.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory dysfunction is prevalent in pwMS and is associated with disease progression.
  • Smell dysfunction, particularly odor discrimination and total TDI scores, can serve as a marker for MS.
  • Olfactory function changes in MS patients correlate with disease severity, duration, and cognitive function.