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Olfaction01:25

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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.
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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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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.
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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,...
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Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice
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Olfactory training improves olfactory function in older adults, while physical activity is not particularly

Agnieszka Sabiniewicz1, Anna Kristina Hernandez2, Charlotte Franke1

  • 1Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.

Physiology & Behavior
|March 26, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Olfactory training (OT) improved olfactory function in older adults. Physical activity levels had minimal impact on these outcomes, though higher activity correlated with better odor detection thresholds.

Keywords:
AgingOlfactionSmell

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neuroscience
  • Sensory Science

Background:

  • Olfactory training (OT) and physical activity (PA) are known to benefit older adults' olfactory function, cognition, and mood.
  • The interplay between OT and PA in this demographic warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of OT on olfactory function, depression, and cognitive performance in older adults.
  • To determine if PA levels modulate the outcomes of OT.

Main Methods:

  • 71 participants (52-86 years) underwent 3 months of OT.
  • Participants were categorized by low and high physical activity levels using the Freiburg Physical Activity Questionnaire.
  • Olfactory function, depression scores, and cognitive performance were assessed before and after the intervention.

Main Results:

  • OT significantly enhanced overall olfactory function and showed a trend towards improved odor discrimination.
  • Physical activity level had a limited effect on olfactory, cognitive, or affective outcomes when combined with OT.
  • Increased PA was correlated with greater improvements in odor threshold, but this requires cautious interpretation.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory training is effective in improving olfactory function in older adults.
  • Physical activity's role in augmenting OT benefits appears minimal, although it may influence specific olfactory thresholds.
  • Future research should consider the consistency rather than just the volume of physical activity.