Chemosensory Perception and Chemosensory Cognition

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 May 2022) | Viewed by 10679

Special Issue Editors

INSPIRE LAB-Laboratory of Cognitive and Psychophysiological Olfactory Processes, DiSTeBA, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: olfactory cognition; event related potentials (ERP); chemosensory related potentials (CSERP); olfactory related potential (OERP); EEG; cognitive neuroscience; attention; pheromones
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Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, ‘G. d’Annunzio’ University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
Interests: basic research on chemoreception and applied research on advanced diagnostic techniques
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Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University Medical School, Pisa, Italy
Interests: neurological disease; EEG; neuroprotection; electromyography; electroencephalography; ERP; SEP; Epilepsy; Olfactory System
Department of Neuroscience DNS, University of Padova, Otolaryngology Unit, Treviso Hospital, Treviso, Italy
Interests: head and neck surgery; tumors
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Olfactory processing has scarcely been investigated while its importance in memory, cognition, and neurodegenerative diseases is strongly suggested by a recent significant body of literature. Olfactory perception ability decreases with ageing, and it is specifically impaired in neurodegenerative diseases and other types of neurological diseases. Olfactory cognition is the result of several mechanisms as odorant sensation, odor perception, chemical multisensory processing, and memory integration. For this Special Issue, we are especially interested in submissions of research that focus on the olfactory cognition system and its relationship with developmental olfactory perception through to cross-modal cognition and spatial memory. This can include basic research processes as well as submissions on comparative psychology of animals and up to human clinical models.

This Special Issue will attempt to convey part of the latest research on olfaction in the context of enhancing olfaction as a transversal and vicarious model of different functions, from the more purely sensorial ones to the more social ones, both in human and in animal models.

In addition, it will cover cutting-edge research on the various types of innovative techniques in the olfactory field and on their new fields of application.

Submissions of both experimental research and reviews are welcome, as are any types of publication related to the new frontiers in olfaction and behaviour or olfaction and the brain.

Dr. Sara Invitto
Dr. Andrea Mazzatenta
Dr. Ferdinando Sartucci
Dr. Giacomo Spinato
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Olfactory Perception
  • Olfactory Cognition
  • Chemio-sensation
  • EEG
  • ERP
  • CSERP
  • OERP
  • Methodology for Olfactory Science
  • Clinical aspects of Olfaction
  • Anosmia

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1138 KiB  
Article
Chemobrain, Olfactory and Lifestyle Assessment in Onco-Geriatrics: Sex-Mediated Differences between Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
by Sara Invitto, Mariangela Leucci, Giuseppe Accogli, Andrea Schito, Claudia Nestola, Vincenzo Ciccarese, Ross Rinaldi, Paolo Boscolo Rizzo, Giacomo Spinato and Silvana Leo
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(10), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12101390 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1586
Abstract
A possible link between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment has been identified. In the literature, this condition is usually called chemobrain and can mostly affect some memory domain but can lead also to other cognitive impairments. Olfaction, which is known to be linked with [...] Read more.
A possible link between chemotherapy and cognitive impairment has been identified. In the literature, this condition is usually called chemobrain and can mostly affect some memory domain but can lead also to other cognitive impairments. Olfaction, which is known to be linked with cognitive domain and the nociception system, can also be affected by chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the main cognitive and olfactory abilities and the functional and nutritional state of a cohort of chemotherapy and immunotherapy onco-geriatric patients and control geriatrics subjects. Cognitive, olfactory, geriatric and nutritional assessments were performed through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Sniffin’ Sticks Screening 12, G8 test and a questionnaire on the adherence of the Mediterranean diet, respectively. Our findings show a gender effect on the MMSE. Overall results indicate more pronounced impairments both at the cognitive and frailty level regardless of the type of therapy. On the other hand, the Sniffin’ Sticks performances highlight a significant decrease in olfactory perception ability of subjects following immunotherapy. Significant correlations between olfactory performance and MMSE and G8 scores were also found, as well as between MMSE and G8 measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemosensory Perception and Chemosensory Cognition)
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10 pages, 1407 KiB  
Article
Spatial Olfactory Memory and Spatial Olfactory Navigation, Assessed with a Variant of Corsi Test, Is Modulated by Gender and Sporty Activity
by Sara Invitto, Giuseppe Accogli, Mariangela Leucci, Marika Salonna, Tonia Serio, Francesca Fancello, Vincenzo Ciccarese and Dion Lankford
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(8), 1108; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12081108 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
Many studies have focused on navigation, spatial skills, and the olfactory system in comparative models, including those concerning the relationship between them and physical activity. Although the results are often in contrast with each other, it is assumed that physical activity can affect [...] Read more.
Many studies have focused on navigation, spatial skills, and the olfactory system in comparative models, including those concerning the relationship between them and physical activity. Although the results are often in contrast with each other, it is assumed that physical activity can affect cognition in different ways—both indirectly and through a certain influence on some brain structures. In contrast, there is little research that focuses on the relationship between spatial abilities and olfactory abilities in humans. This research aimed to evaluate and compare the performance in working memory tasks of athletes and non-athletes who require good visual–spatial navigation, olfactory–spatial navigation, and olfactory–semantic skills. The study involved 236 participants (83 athletes) between the ages of 18 and 40. All subjects were matched by age or sex. The standard Corsi Block Tapping Test (CBTT) was administrated to investigate the visual-spatial memory. Olfactory–spatial navigation and olfactory–semantic skills were assessed with two modified versions of CBTT: Olfactory CBTT (OCBTT) and Semantic–Olfactory CBTT (SOCBTT) respectively. The results show differences between the CORSI conditions in direction of a poor performance for athletes. A gender effect in favor of men was also found, particularly in the classic version of the CBTT. Both groups performed better in the classic version of the CBTT than OCBTT and SOCBTT. The mean of SOCBTT results is markedly lower, perhaps due to the different information processing systems needed to perform this kind of task. It is possible to explain how sports practice can affect tasks that require spatial skills and olfactory perception differently, thus supporting new hypotheses and opening new scientific horizons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemosensory Perception and Chemosensory Cognition)
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Review

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15 pages, 663 KiB  
Review
Olfactory Evaluation in Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice
by Jingjing Zhang, Zixuan Zhao, Siqi Sun, Jing Li, Yu Wang, Jingyin Dong, Su Yang, Yiyi Lou, Jing Yang, Weiyun Li and Shanshan Li
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(5), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12050607 - 06 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2578
Abstract
Olfactory dysfunction is considered a pre-cognitive biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because the olfactory system is highly conserved across species, mouse models corresponding to various AD etiologies have been bred and used in numerous studies on olfactory disorders. The olfactory behavior test is [...] Read more.
Olfactory dysfunction is considered a pre-cognitive biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Because the olfactory system is highly conserved across species, mouse models corresponding to various AD etiologies have been bred and used in numerous studies on olfactory disorders. The olfactory behavior test is a method required for early olfactory dysfunction detection in AD model mice. Here, we review the olfactory evaluation of AD model mice, focusing on traditional olfactory detection methods, olfactory behavior involving the olfactory cortex, and the results of olfactory behavior in AD model mice, aiming to provide some inspiration for further development of olfactory detection methods in AD model mice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemosensory Perception and Chemosensory Cognition)
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Other

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12 pages, 1257 KiB  
Perspective
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Confirmed Olfactory Bulb Reduction in Long COVID-19: Literature Review and Case Series
by Andrea Frosolini, Daniela Parrino, Cristoforo Fabbris, Francesco Fantin, Ingrid Inches, Sara Invitto, Giacomo Spinato and Cosimo De Filippis
Brain Sci. 2022, 12(4), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12040430 - 24 Mar 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3405
Abstract
An altered sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the most characteristic symptoms of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19). Despite most patients experiencing a complete functional resolution, there is a 21.3% prevalence of persistent alteration at 12 months after infection. To [...] Read more.
An altered sense of smell and taste was recognized as one of the most characteristic symptoms of coronavirus infection disease (COVID-19). Despite most patients experiencing a complete functional resolution, there is a 21.3% prevalence of persistent alteration at 12 months after infection. To date, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in these patients have been variable and not clearly defined. We aimed to clarify radiological alterations of olfactory pathways in patients with long COVID-19 characterized by olfactory dysfunction. A comprehensive review of the English literature was performed by analyzing relevant papers about this topic. A case series was presented: all patients underwent complete otorhinolaryngology evaluation including the Sniffin’ Sticks battery test. A previous diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive swabs. The MRIs were acquired using a 3.0T MR scanner with a standardized protocol for olfactory tract analysis. Images were first analysed by a dedicated neuroradiologist and subsequently reviewed and compared with the previous available MRIs. The review of the literature retrieved 25 studies; most cases of olfactory dysfunction more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection showed olfactory bulb (OB) reduction. Patients in the personal case series had asymmetry and a reduction in the volume of the OB. This evidence was strengthened by the comparison with a previous MRI, where the OBs were normal. The results preliminarily confirmed OB reduction in cases of long COVID-19 with an altered sense of smell. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology, pathophysiology and prognosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemosensory Perception and Chemosensory Cognition)
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