Unveiling the scented spectrum: a mini review of objective olfactory assessment and event-related potentials

The objective of the study is to examine the current state of research and technology related to objective olfactory assessment, highlighting the merits and demerits of the techniques. It aims to specifically explore olfactory event-related potentials, discussing their potential applications, benefits, drawbacks, and prospects in the field.

A five-month narrative review examined English-language articles from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, critically summarising titles, abstracts, and full texts, while excluding non-English and methodologically weak studies.

This study provides a detailed investigation into various objective methods utilised and the applicability of olfactory event-related potentials for assessing olfaction. We reviewed key elements, such as techniques, stimulus delivery methods, optimal electrode placement, and waveform analysis.

Olfactory event-related potentials offers substantial promise in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of olfactory dysfunction across various clinical contexts. This thorough review highlights the utility and potential of olfactory event-related potentials in improving the precision and efficacy of olfactory assessments.