Olfactory bulb volume in smokers

The study aimed to investigate the volume of the olfactory bulb in smokers. Specifically, we wanted to see whether environmental influences may exert a negative influence on OB structure. Twenty-one smokers and 59 non-smokers, matched for age and sex, underwent olfactory testing by means of the Snif...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental brain research 2013-03, Vol.225 (2), p.153-157
Main Authors: Schriever, Valentin A., Reither, Nicole, Gerber, Johannes, Iannilli, Emilia, Hummel, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age
Biological and medical sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Data processing
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurology
Neurosciences
Odor thresholds
Odors
Olfaction
Olfactory bulb
Olfactory Bulb - pathology
Olfactory Bulb - physiopathology
Olfactory Perception - physiology
Olfactory system
Olfactory system and olfaction. Gustatory system and gustation
Organ Size
Otolaryngology
Physiological aspects
Plasticity
Research Article
Sensory Thresholds - physiology
Sex
Skull
Smell - physiology
Smokers
Smoking
Smoking - pathology
Smoking - physiopathology
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:The study aimed to investigate the volume of the olfactory bulb in smokers. Specifically, we wanted to see whether environmental influences may exert a negative influence on OB structure. Twenty-one smokers and 59 non-smokers, matched for age and sex, underwent olfactory testing by means of the Sniffin’ Sticks testing device (measurement of odor threshold and identification abilities). In addition, they underwent an MR scan with 2-mm-thick T2-weighted fast spin-echo images without interslice gap in the coronal plane covering the anterior and middle segments of the base of the skull. Olfactory function was not different between the 2 groups; however, olfactory bulb volumes were smaller in smokers than in non-smokers ( p  = 0.006). The deficit seen at the level of the OB did not correlate with the duration of smoking. The current data indicate that smoking may have a negative effect on the olfactory system before this becomes obvious in terms of a decreased olfactory function.
ISSN:0014-4819
1432-1106
DOI:10.1007/s00221-012-3356-5