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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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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...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

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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...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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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...
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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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Associations between olfactory dysfunction and cognition: a scoping review.

Patricia T Jacobson1, Brandon J Vilarello2, Jeremy P Tervo2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.

Journal of Neurology
|January 13, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) may predict cognitive decline in adults. While many studies show a positive link between smell and cognition, results are mixed in younger adults, suggesting a need for further research controlling for confounding factors.

Keywords:
CognitionHealthy adultsMiddle-aged adultsOlfactionSemi-objective olfaction testingYoung adults

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is a known predictor of neurocognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
  • Research on the link between olfaction and cognition in younger populations is limited.
  • This review focuses on non-COVID-19-related OD in adults under 60.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate cognitive changes in non-elderly adults experiencing olfactory dysfunction.
  • To synthesize existing research on the association between smell impairment and cognitive function in adults under 60.

Main Methods:

  • A structured, comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.
  • The review focused on studies examining the association between OD and cognitive functioning in individuals younger than 60.
  • Data extraction was performed on 54 selected studies.

Main Results:

  • Out of 54 studies, 21 showed a positive association between olfaction and cognition, while 7 showed no association.
  • A significant portion (25/54) reported mixed results, and only 1 study indicated a negative association.
  • Common causes of smell loss included neuropsychiatric disorders (37%), idiopathic (25%), and type 2 diabetes (7%).

Conclusions:

  • A positive correlation between olfactory dysfunction and cognition is suggested, but findings are less robust in younger adults compared to the elderly.
  • Heterogeneity in study populations and outcomes necessitates further investigation.
  • Future research should control for confounding factors, particularly in non-psychiatric causes of smell loss in non-elderly individuals.