Loss of olfactory function leads to a decrease of trigeminal sensitivity

Chem Senses. 1996 Feb;21(1):75-9. doi: 10.1093/chemse/21.1.75.

Abstract

Healthy controls were compared to patients with decreased olfactory sensitivity (n = 32) to investigate interactions between the olfactory and trigeminal systems. Amplitudes of chemo-somatosensory event-related potentials in response to suprathreshold trigeminal stimuli (CO2) were found to be smaller in patients (P < 0.05) indicating a decrease of trigeminally mediated sensations.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Olfactory Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Smell / physiology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve / physiopathology*