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Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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...
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

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Published on: April 22, 2015

Olfactory Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Isabelle Cullen1,2, Elisa Dal Bò2,3, Peace Maddox2,4

  • 1University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.

Autism : the International Journal of Research and Practice
|July 16, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Autistic individuals show poorer olfactory function compared to non-autistic individuals, particularly in childhood. Differences in smell perception vary by assessment type and specific olfactory ability measured.

Keywords:
autismdevelopmentmeta-analysisolfaction

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Sensory Processing

Background:

  • Altered sensory processing is a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Olfactory perception in ASD is understudied despite its role in safety, nutrition, and social interaction.
  • Existing research on olfactory function in autism shows mixed results due to varied methodologies and sample sizes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze olfactory function differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals.
  • To identify moderators, such as assessment type and age, influencing olfactory performance in autism.
  • To quantify the extent of olfactory deficits in autism spectrum disorder.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.
  • Searched multiple databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL).
  • Included 46 studies with 87 effect sizes from 1,580 autistic and 7,698 non-autistic individuals.

Main Results:

  • Autistic individuals demonstrated significantly poorer olfactory performance (g = -0.64).
  • Deficits were pronounced in psychophysical testing (g = -0.58) and informant reports (g = -1.31), but not self-reports.
  • Olfactory impairments were most significant in autistic children (g = -0.88), particularly in odor identification and threshold detection.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory alterations are present in autism spectrum disorder and are most pronounced in childhood.
  • The magnitude of olfactory deficits varies depending on the assessment method and the specific olfactory function evaluated.
  • Standardized, age-appropriate measures are needed to accurately assess olfactory function across the lifespan in individuals with autism.