A Different Olfactory Perception in Anosmic Patients: Evidence from Functional MRI

Mohsen Kohanpour; Sobhan Aarabi; Seyed Amir Hossein  Batouli; Soodeh  Moallemian; Mohammad Ali Oghabian

doi:10.18502/fbt.v10i4.13720

Mohsen Kohanpour Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Sobhan Aarabi Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Pars Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Seyed Amir Hossein Batouli Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Soodeh Moallemian Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Oghabian Neuroimaging and Analysis Group, Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fbt.v10i4.13720

Keywords: Olfaction; functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Anosmia; Sniffing Test; Diagnosis

Abstract

Purpose: Olfactory system is a vital sensory system in mammals, giving them the ability to connect with their environment. Anosmia, or the complete loss of olfaction ability, which could be caused by injuries, is an interesting topic for inspectors with the aim of diagnosing patients. Sniffing test is currently utilized to examine if an individual is suffering from anosmia; however, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides unique information about the structure and function of the different areas of the human brain, and therefore this noninvasive method could be used as a tool to locate the olfactory-related regions of the brain.

Materials and Methods: In this study, by recruiting 31 healthy and anosmic individuals, we investigated the neural Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) responses in the olfactory cortices following two odor stimuli, rose and eucalyptus, by using a 3T MR scanner.

Results: Comparing the two groups, we observed a network of brain areas being more active in normal individuals when smelling the odors. In addition, a number of brain areas also showed an activation decline during the odor stimuli, which is hypothesized as a resource allocation deactivation.

Conclusion: This study illustrated alterations in the brain activity between normal individuals and anosmic patients when smelling odors, and could potentially help for a better anosmia diagnosis in the future.