Olfactory System Research Paper

The nerve fibers of the olfactory system are spread much wider in the CNS than is the case with any other sensory system. The olfactory system exerts an essential part of its influence on subcortical centers like the limbic system. Thus, smell has a high emotional component, which accounts for its great social importance. This explains why olfactory impressions are used to express behavior patterns in all languages. In German, for example, the expression Ich kann Dich nicht riechen (I cannot smell you) means ‘I don’t like you.’

Humans have special inherited and acquired preferences (hedonics). Thus, for example, the smell of a forest elicits a positive emotion in many people, whereas negative feelings are associated with the smell of isobutyric acid (sweat).

Because of the broad spread of the secondary and tertiary olfactory fields in the CNS, an odorant can evoke its strong conscious reaction only initially; the sense of smell must then adapt rapidly to be ready for new odorants, and we lose the perception.

Apart from the olfactory sense for self-preservation, referred to henceforth as the ‘classical olfactory system,’ the nose has a second chemical sense that long received little attention in humans: the vomeronasal organ or system. Its purpose lies in the perception of pheromones within the sexual sphere and thus in the propagation of the species as well as in signaling and controlling aggressions. While hormones distribute messages within the body, pheromones take over communication to the outside (Jellinek). Little is known about the neuronal pathways and connections of the vomeronasal system. An intensive and exclusively subcortical process is probably involved, which means that we are not consciously aware of the stimulation of this organ. As with the classical olfactory sense, marked hedonics also exist here that are controlled by the immunological system.

1. Anatomy Of The Classical Olfactory System

The zone of smell of the classical olfactory system in the nose lies in the upper part of the nasal cavity. It covers an area of about 5 cm on either side of the nose, specifically in the region of the superior nasal conchae, the septum and the ethmoid bone (Fig. 1). This region harbors about 100 million bipolar olfactory cells in humans (220 million in dogs). The sensory epithelium also contains stem cells with the lifelong capacity for replacing olfactory cells that have died. The peripheral processes of the bipolar sensory cells rise to the mucosal surface (Fig. 2). They bear up to 1,000 hairs (cilia) on which the primary contact takes place between aromatic molecules and receptors. The hairs differ in length among the various organisms. The longer the hairs, the more points of contact for the aromatic molecules. Organisms with long sensory hairs are therefore described as macrosmatic, those with short ones as microsmatic. The hairs must be moistened constantly so as not to be destroyed by desiccation. The olfactory zone thus has special mucous glands which, in contrast to other glands in the nose, do not form proteolytic enzymes. Odorants would otherwise be broken down into substances with a different smell prior to contact with the sensory cells.

The aromatic molecules dock at special receptor proteins situated on the hairs. These proteins activate signal proteins (G proteins) which in turn trigger a cascade that sends an electric signal (action potential) along the central process of the cell to the bulb of the olfactory nerve (Reed 1992). This bulb contains cell accumulations (granules), each granule corresponding to a specific receptor molecule (Reed 1992). The expression of the specific olfactory receptor proteins is genetically determined (Buck and Axel 1991), one gene encoding each receptor molecule. Altogether, we possess about 1,000 different olfactory receptors. Approximately 1 percent of our genes are used here, which corresponds to the largest family of genes found in humans. This underscores the profound importance of the sense of smell in man (Axel 1995).

There are about 30,000 odorants. Humans can recognize about 3,000 of these but only differentiate 300. We have a poor memory for smells, a much poorer olfactory than visual memory. Thus, we can only remember about 20 odorants.

Odorants must be volatile and lipid-soluble, otherwise they cannot be perceived. However, perception does not take place solely in the area of the olfactory sensory cells. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between odorants that excite the olfactory system almost exclusively, for example, coffee, cinnamon, tar, or the scent of roses, and odorants that stimulate both the olfactory system and fibers of the sensory trigeminal nerve in the nose, for example, menthol or camphor (sensation: cool) or formalin and vinegar (sensation: pungent). In addition, there are odorants that stimulate both the olfactory system and taste fibers on the base of the tongue, for example, pyridine (sensation: bitter) and chloroform (sensation: sweet).

2. Anatomy Of The Vomeronasal System

The vomeronasal organ is situated in the anterior and lower mucosal areas of the nasal septum (Fig. 3). It comprises a 2–8 mm pouch with a diameter of 0.2– 2 mm. The numerous mucous glands opening into this pouch ensure constant irrigation. At the end of the pouch there are elongated sensory cells with small mobile saccules resembling handles. Numerous blood vessels and nerve fibers are situated basal to this cell layer. The precise spread of these fibers and of the information thus transmitted to the CNS is not known. However, stimulation of the vomeronasal organ is not perceived consciously.

The vomeronasal organ develops between the 37th and 43rd prenatal day in humans (Smith and Bhatnagar 2000). At this time, it is morphologically identical to its counterpart in animals, for which chemosensory activity has been demonstrated. Its structure changes between the 12th and 14th week. The mucosal cells develop cilia and lose contact to nerves. Thus, there are discussions as to whether the organ loses its function in humans at a very early stage, that is, in infancy. However, some findings (Monti-Bloch et al. 1998, Grosser et al. 2000) have demonstrated that the vomeronasal organ can be stimulated directly and specifically by a pheromone in adults (see below).

3. Measuring Methods

Odorants of graded concentration (e.g., ‘Sniffin’ sticks, butanol test (Gudziol) are inhaled to test perception within the scope of the classical olfactory system (Hummel et al. 1997). The results are based largely on subjective data. Since this leaves open the possibility of simulation and aggravation, expert opinions always require clarification by taste tests with substances that can only be smelled (e.g., peppermint solution) or by objective examination procedures. In the objective smell test, an odorant is introduced into the nose by pulsed application, and the brain waves are measured via the vertex synchronous to inhalation. The evoked test curve obtained by summation indicates the activation of the olfactory system—but not necessarily the perception of the odorant—in the cerebral cortex. Moreover, no qualitative statements can be made on the question of whether an odorant is perceived as such.

4. Physiology Of The Classical Olfactory System

Very complex apparatuses were used to investigate the threshold of the classical olfactory sensation. It is 1–2 × 10^-14 mol/l in humans and 2 × 10^-16 mol/l in eels. From the fact that only 10 molecules excite a receptor cell and 40 trigger a smell perception, it may be calculated that the olfactory system of the eel will be stimulated by even a thimbleful of rosewater poured into 16 times the amount of water in Lake Constance and well distributed (Jung 1994). This good olfactory sense of fish surely also explains why a salmon usually finds his home river. It probably smells its specific odorants, and this should give us at least some idea of the impact our water pollution has on the olfactory system of fish.

Measurements have shown that the olfactory threshold changes significantly in relation to the nutritional status. Thus, the threshold is 1–2 × 10^-14mol/l in a fasting state and rises to 3.5–5.5 × 10^-14mol/l after a meal. The biochemical basis for this threshold variation is the sugar content in the blood. Sugar is the nutritive substance of the CNS. It makes sense for the olfactory threshold to differ in the fasting state: hungry humans and animals require a good olfactory sense for self-preservation, since they must hunt for ‘prey’ or use the olfactory organ for orientation (salmon fast when returning to their home river; their olfactory sense is thus optimal).

5. Physiologically-Based Cooking

One of the secrets of the famous art of modern French cooking (nouvelle cuisine) is to maintain the fasting state and thus the good olfactory sense of the guest by serving very small portions in the individual courses. It is especially important to go easy on sweet foods and to serve dry sherry as an aperitif, for example. Sweet foods should only be consumed as a dessert. Conversely, serving a sweet aperitif, for example, port wine or a rich appetizer can mask the taste of a poorly seasoned dish.

There are individuals with a particularly keen olfactory sense. They are usually highly paid for testing wines and other luxury items like coffee or tea or may also work as perfumers. On the other hand, there are people who cannot perceive certain odorants. There are, for example, such specific, genetically determined anosmias for isobutyric acid (sweat), hydrogen cyanide (bitter almond), and the scent of freesias. More than 80 specific anosmias have been identified thus far.

Contrary to subjective reports by women, no change has been detected in the classical olfactory sense during the menstrual cycle (Hummel et al. 1997).

In 1986 National Geographic magazine published an article on the sense of smell in humans. For illustration, they included six encapsulated odorants to be identified after being released by rubbing. This evolved into a gigantic global smell test with 1.5 million participants. Some of the results are physiologically significant. The test clearly demonstrated, for example, that men have a poorer sense of smell than women (something women have always said). This difference is enhanced in old age. The olfactory sense is best at the age of 20 and declines continuously with age (about 40–50 percent by the age of 80). On the other hand, the ability to smell the scent of a rose hardly decreases at all. Roses are, therefore, a suitable present for older people. Smokers consider themselves poor smellers and they are quite right.

Different odorants trigger completely different physical reactions in humans. The scent of jasmine and lemon increases alertness, while that of lavender and roses have a calming effect.

A Japanese company introduces a lemon scent into their air conditioning system in the morning to increase motivation, the scent of roses at noon to calm tempers, and different wood fragrances in the afternoon to mobilize energy reserves (PM 1 1990).

Buying behavior can also be stimulated. Adding aromatics to the air lengthens customers’ shopping time by 16 percent, makes them 15 percent more willing to buy, and increases sales by 6 percent (Stohr 1995).

There are many secretory glands in the olfactory zone of the nasal mucosa. Their primary function is to moisten and thus protect the cilia of the olfactory cells, but they also rinse out odorants. Thus, the organ of smell very quickly regains its readiness for a new stimulation. The olfactory sense adapts very quickly though to odorants that are present constantly. In other words, an odorant is no longer perceived as such after a few minutes. A dog that has taken up a trail must, therefore, run in zigzags, since he would other-wise lose the scent by adaptation of his olfactory sense. This also applies to perfume users. A person smelling a perfume will no longer perceive it after a short time if the wearer remains at a constant distance.

Hedonics are understood to be the assessment of smell sensations. They can be positive or negative but differ from organism to organism and also among members of the same species. Thus, the smell of decay is negative for humans but positive for vultures. Europeans value the smell of pizza spices more highly than that of soybean oil. The opposite is true for Asians. Hedonics can be inherited (smell of decay) and acquired and are already passed on during gestation. Fetuses are known to react to olfactory stimuli in the mother after the 28th week of pregnancy. Thus, newborn rabbits already show a selective preference for the food their mothers preferred.

6. Physiology Of The Vomeronasal System

The literature on the anatomy and physiology of the vomeronasal organ in humans is extensive and in part extremely controversial. Thus, Shoyi et al. found that the vomeronasal system has very high sensitivity to various stimulating substances, though the sensory cells in the nasal pouch do not possess distinct cilia like the olfactory cells of the classic olfactory system. In contrast, Smith and Bhatnagor (2000) already detected a transformation into ciliated cells in infancy. On the one hand, a physiological receptor function has been negated in man (Trotier et al. 2000). On the other hand, women randomized in a double-blind manner reacted specifically to the male pheromone androstadienone when applied to their vomeronasal organ in picogram quantities. Direct application of the female pheromone pregna-4,20-diene-3,6-dione (vomeropherin PDD) to the vomeronasal organ of men elicited a significant and dose-dependent parasympathomimetic reaction and also decreased serum LH and testosterone (Monti-Bloch et al. 1998). The threshold for pheromone detection is extremely low in animals. Hence, a male silk moth will find a female even at a distance of 10 km, though not if it is sitting under a glass bell. As mentioned above, the stimulating substances of the vomeronasal system are pheromones, androstenone, and androstenol being among those found in humans. They are formed in the nasolabial groove, the axilla, the mammillae and the sexual organs. We do not perceive consciously their stimulation of the vomeronasal organ. If we think we are smelling pheromones, these are bacterial breakdown products of the respective substances, for which we also develop marked hedonics. Famous in this connection is a letter Napoleon wrote to his wife, Josephine, requesting that she no longer wash herself because he was coming home from the field.

Pheromones control not only sexual activity but also aggressive behaviors among conspecifics (Dulac 2000). Dogs mark their territory, for example. Smelling pheromones is particularly important for newborn creatures, especially while still helpless, for example, blind animals. They smell their mother’s mammary glands via pheromones. Kangaroo babies are very small creatures at birth. Guided by pheromones, they find their way unaided to the mother’s pouch, where the mammary glands are situated.

Hedonics for pheromones are controlled genetically (Wedekind and Penn 2000, Wedekind and Furi 1997). They are influenced by the immune system. Thus, hedonics for the pheromones of a partner are known to be all the more positive, the greater the difference between the immunocompetence of a couple, as measured by the major histocompatibility complex. This is nature’s attempt to prevent marriages between brothers and sisters. Hedonics has been found to undergo a reversal in the course of pregnancy, during which time a previously preferred partner is not very attractive. This effect is biologically understandable. The reversal only lasts as long as the pregnancy. However, women taking oral contraceptives also show a reversal of hedonics, and this circumstance harbors an implicit threat to their partnership.

7. Encyclopedia And Definition Of Olfactory Disorders

Normosmia: normal sense of smell

Anosmia: total absence of the sense of smell

Dysosmia: partial impairment of the sense of smell (hyperosmia, hyposmia)

Anosmia and Dysosmia: specific, genetic: lack of receptor proteins

Respiratory:    – marked deviations of the nasal septum

– turbinate hyperplasia

– mucosal swelling (for example, in colds)

– nasal polyps

– tracheotomized patients

Epithelial:       – drying of the nose (ozena)

– exogenous noxae (cadmium, chromic acid, butylene glycol, benzoic acid, hydrogen selenide (sometimes even one breath of a noxa will permanently destroy the sense of smell)

– overgrowth of the olfactory epithelium by normal nasal mucosa

Neural:            – virus infections, especially those associated with the common cold (rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses)

– traumas in an anteroposterior (for example, boxing) or posteroanterior (falling on the back of the head) direction that shift the brain tangentially to the skull base, rupturing the olfactory nerve fibers at the point where they pass through it (Fig. 1)

Endocrine:      – Cushing’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, diabetes, B12 deficiency

Central:           – traumas, tumors, influenza infection, meningitis

Parosmia:        smelling a substance that is not there; The affected individual knows that the substance smelled is not there Cause: often nasal (partial destruction of olfactory epithelium) but also central

Pseudosmia:   misinterpretation of a real olfactory impression

Cause: psychoses

Phantosmia: olfactory hallucinations, for example, cacosmia. The affected individual does not complain about a defective sense of smell and refuses to believe he is mistaken

Cause: Central lesions temporal lobe tumor or abscess (as an aura in uncinate fits) schizophrenic psychoses

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