Functional but Not Structural Brain Changes After Olfactory Training in Women With COVID-19-Associated Olfactory...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Olfactory dysfunction research
• Medical imaging applications

Background:

• Olfactory training (OT) is a recognized treatment for olfactory loss.
• Central nervous system effects of OT are not well understood.
• Post-viral olfactory loss impacts quality of life and requires effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate functional and structural brain changes in patients with post-viral olfactory loss undergoing OT.
• To assess the impact of OT on olfactory bulb volume and brain structure.
• To evaluate changes in brain activity patterns related to olfactory processing.

Main Methods:

• A 3-month olfactory training (OT) program was administered to patients with post-viral olfactory loss and healthy controls.
• Participants underwent olfactory testing (Sniffin' Sticks) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Structural MRI included voxel-based morphometry and olfactory bulb volumetry; functional MRI assessed brain activation during odor presentation.

Main Results:

• Patients demonstrated significant improvement in olfactory function after OT.
• Functional MRI revealed enhanced brain activation in the orbitofrontal cortex and parahippocampus.
• No significant structural brain changes or olfactory bulb volume alterations were observed with OT.

Conclusions:

• Olfactory training (OT) offers early perceptual and functional advantages for patients with post-viral olfactory loss.
• Observed functional brain changes suggest OT positively impacts olfactory processing pathways.
• Structural brain modifications may require longer training durations to become apparent.