Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in olfactory bulb volume following lateralized olfactory training

  • Original Research
  • Published:
Brain Imaging and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Repeated exposure to odors modifies olfactory function. Consequently, “olfactory training” plays a significant role in hyposmia treatment. In addition, numerous studies show that the olfactory bulb (OB) volume changes in disorders associated with olfactory dysfunction. Aim of this study was to investigate whether and how olfactory bulb volume changes in relation to lateralized olfactory training in healthy people. Over a period of 4 months, 97 healthy participants (63 females and 34 males, mean age: 23.74 ± 4.16 years, age range: 19–43 years) performed olfactory training by exposing the same nostril twice a day to 4 odors (lemon, rose, eucalyptus and cloves) while closing the other nostril. Before and after olfactory training, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed to measure OB volume. Furthermore, participants underwent lateralized odor threshold and odor identification testing using the “Sniffin‘ Sticks” test battery.

OB volume increased significantly after olfactory training (11.3 % and 13.1 % respectively) for both trained and untrained nostril. No significant effects of sex, duration and frequency of training or age of the subjects were seen. Interestingly, PEA odor thresholds worsened after training, while olfactory identification remained unchanged.These data show for the first time in humans that olfactory training may involve top-down process, which ultimately lead to a bilateral increase in olfactory bulb volume.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altundag, A., Salihoglu, M., Tekeli, H., Saglam, M., Cayonu, M., & Hummel, T. (2014). Lateralized differences in olfactory function and olfactory bulb volume relate to nasal septum deviation. The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 25(2), 359–362. doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000000000617.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Altundag, A., Cayonu, M., Kayabasoglu, G., Salihoglu, M., Tekeli, H., Saglam, O., et al. (2015). Modified olfactory training in patients with postinfectious olfactory loss. Laryngoscope, 125(8), 1763–1766. doi:10.1002/lary.25245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Amoore, J. E. (1977). Specific anosmia and the concept of primary odors. Chemical Senses, 2, 267–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Askar, S. M., Elnashar, I. S., El-Anwar, M. W., Amer, H. S., El Shawadfy, M. A., Hosny, S. M., et al. (2015). Ipsilateral reduced olfactory bulb volume in patients with unilateral nasal obstruction. Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 152(5), 959–963. doi:10.1177/0194599815573196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benson, T. E., Ryugo, D. K., & Hinds, J. W. (1984). Effects of sensory deprivation on the developing mouse olfactory system: a light and electron microscopic, morphometric analysis. The Journal of Neuroscience, 4(3), 638–653.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bitter, T., Bruderle, J., Gudziol, H., Burmeister, H. P., Gaser, C., & Guntinas-Lichius, O. (2010). Gray and white matter reduction in hyposmic subjects--a voxel-based morphometry study. Brain Research, 1347, 42–47. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2010.06.003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Buschhuter, D., Smitka, M., Puschmann, S., Gerber, J. C., Witt, M., Abolmaali, N. D., et al. (2008). Correlation between olfactory bulb volume and olfactory function. NeuroImage, 42(2), 498–502. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2008.05.004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cain, W. S., Stevens, J. C., Nickou, C. M., Giles, A., Johnston, I., & Garcia-Medina, M. R. (1995). Life-span development of odor identification, learning, and olfactory sensitivity. Perception, 24, 1457–1472.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, T. A., & Linster, C. (2003). Central olfactory structures. In R. L. Doty (Ed.), Handbook of olfaction and gustation (pp. 165–180). New York: Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, T. A., & Linster, C. (2005). Computation in the olfactory system. Chemical Senses, 30(9), 801–813. doi:10.1093/chemse/bji072.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Coppola, D. M. (2012). Studies of olfactory system neural plasticity: the contribution of the unilateral naris occlusion technique. Neural Plasticity, 2012, 351752. doi:10.1155/2012/351752.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Croy, I., Buschhuter, D., Seo, H. S., Negoias, S., & Hummel, T. (2010). Individual significance of olfaction: development of a questionnaire. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 267(1), 67–71. doi:10.1007/s00405-009-1054-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croy, I., Negoias, S., Symmank, A., Schellong, J., Joraschky, P., & Hummel, T. (2013). Reduced olfactory bulb volume in adults with a history of childhood maltreatment. Chemical Senses, 38(8), 679–684. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjt037.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Croy, I., Olgun, S., Mueller, L., Schmidt, A., Muench, M., Hummel, C., et al. (2015). Peripheral adaptive filtering in human olfaction? Three studies on prevalence and effects of olfactory training in specific anosmia in more than 1600 participants. Cortex, 73, 180–187. doi:10.1016/j.cortex.2015.08.018.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, D. M., Henning, H. E., & Brunjes, P. C. (1997). Olfactory bulb recovery after early sensory deprivation. The Journal of Neuroscience, 17(19), 7433–7440.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dalton, P., Doolittle, N., & Breslin, P. A. (2002). Gender-specific induction of enhanced sensitivity to odors. Nature Neuroscience, 5, 199–200.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Damm, M., Pikart, L. K., Reimann, H., Burkert, S., Goktas, O., Haxel, B., et al. (2014). Olfactory training is helpful in postinfectious olfactory loss: a randomized, controlled, multicenter study. Laryngoscope, 124(4), 826–831. doi:10.1002/lary.24340.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delon-Martin, C., Plailly, J., Fonlupt, P., Veyrac, A., & Royet, J. P. (2013). Perfumers' expertise induces structural reorganization in olfactory brain regions. NeuroImage, 68, 55–62. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2012.11.044.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrenstein, W. H., & Ehrenstein, A. (1999). Psychophysical methods. In U. Windhorst & H. Johansson (Eds.), Modern techniques in neuroscience research (pp. 1211–1241). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Engen, T., & Bosack, T. N. (1969). Facilitation in olfactory detection. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 68(3), 320–326.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fleiner, F., Lau, L., & Goktas, O. (2012). Active olfactory training for the treatment of smelling disorders. Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal, 91(5), 198–203 215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). "Mini-mental state". A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12, 189–198.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frasnelli, J., & Mercier, N. (2015). The effect of intensive training on olfactory performance. Paper presented at the annual meeting of ACHEMS, Bonita Springs, Florida, April 22-25

  • Geissler, K., Reimann, H., Gudziol, H., Bitter, T., & Guntinas-Lichius, O. (2014). Olfactory training for patients with olfactory loss after upper respiratory tract infections. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 271(6), 1557–1562. doi:10.1007/s00405-013-2747-y.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goektas, O., Schmidt, F., Bohner, G., Erb, K., Ludemann, L., Dahlslett, B., et al. (2011). Olfactory bulb volume and olfactory function in patients with multiple sclerosis. Rhinology, 49(2), 221–226. doi:10.4193/Rhino10.136.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gudziol, V., Buschhuter, D., Abolmaali, N., Gerber, J., Rombaux, P., & Hummel, T. (2009). Increasing olfactory bulb volume due to treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis--a longitudinal study. Brain, 132(Pt 11), 3096–3101. doi:10.1093/brain/awp243.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haehner, A., Rodewald, A., Gerber, J. C., & Hummel, T. (2008). Correlation of olfactory function with changes in the volume of the human olfactory bulb. Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 134(6), 621–624. doi:10.1001/archotol.134.6.621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haehner, A., Tosch, C., Wolz, M., Klingelhoefer, L., Fauser, M., Storch, A., et al. (2013). Olfactory training in patients with Parkinson's disease. PloS One, 8(4), e61680. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061680.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Henning, H. (1916). Der Geruch. Leipzig: Johann Ambrosius Barth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huart, C., Rombaux, P., & Hummel, T. (2013). Plasticity of the human olfactory system: the olfactory bulb. Molecules, 18(9), 11586–11600. doi:10.3390/molecules180911586.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, T., Sekinger, B., Wolf, S., Pauli, E., & Kobal, G. (1997). "Sniffin' sticks": olfactory performance assessed by the combined testing of odor identification, odor discrimination and olfactory threshold. Chemical Senses, 22, 39–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, T., Rissom, K., Reden, J., Hahner, A., Weidenbecher, M., & Huttenbrink, K. B. (2009). Effects of olfactory training in patients with olfactory loss. Laryngoscope, 119(3), 496–499. doi:10.1002/lary.20101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, T., Haehner, A., Hummel, C., Croy, I., & Iannilli, E. (2013a). Lateralized differences in olfactory bulb volume relate to lateralized differences in olfactory function. Neuroscience, 237, 51–55. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.044.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, T., Henkel, S., Negoias, S., Galvan, J. R., Bogdanov, V., Hopp, P., et al. (2013b). Olfactory bulb volume in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Journal of Neurology, 260(4), 1004–1008. doi:10.1007/s00415-012-6741-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hummel, T., Urbig, A., Huart, C., Duprez, T., & Rombaux, P. (2015). Volume of olfactory bulb and depth of olfactory sulcus in 378 consecutive patients with olfactory loss. Journal of Neurology, 262(4), 1046–1051. doi:10.1007/s00415-015-7691-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kollndorfer, K., Kowalczyk, K., Hoche, E., Mueller, C. A., Pollak, M., Trattnig, S., et al. (2014). Recovery of olfactory function induces neuroplasticity effects in patients with smell loss. Neural Plasticity, 2014, 140419. doi:10.1155/2014/140419.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Konstantinidis, I., Tsakiropoulou, E., Bekiaridou, P., Kazantzidou, C., & Constantinidis, J. (2013). Use of olfactory training in post-traumatic and postinfectious olfactory dysfunction. Laryngoscope, 123(12), E85–E90. doi:10.1002/lary.24390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Livermore, A., & Hummel, T. (2004). The influence of training on chemosensory event-related potentials and interactions between the olfactory and trigeminal systems. Chemical Senses, 29, 41–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Livermore, A., & Laing, D. G. (1996). Influence of training and experience on the perception of multicomponent odor mixtures. Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance, 22, 267–277.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mainland, J. D., Bremner, E. A., Young, N., Johnson, B. N., Khan, R. M., Bensafi, M., et al. (2002). Olfactory plasticity: one nostril knows what the other learns. Nature, 419, 802.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mazal, P. P., Haehner, A., & Hummel, T. (2014). Relation of the volume of the olfactory bulb to psychophysical measures of olfactory function. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. doi:10.1007/s00405-014-3325-7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mori, E., Petters, W., Schriever, V. A., Valder, C., & Hummel, T. (2015). Exposure to odours improves olfactory function in healthy children Rhinology, 53(3), 221–226. doi:10.4193/Rhin14.192.

  • Mueller, A., Abolmaali, N. D., Hakimi, A. R., Gloeckler, T., Herting, B., Reichmann, H., et al. (2005). Olfactory bulb volumes in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease a pilot study. Journal of Neural Transmission, 112(10), 1363–1370. doi:10.1007/s00702-005-0280-x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Negoias, S., Croy, I., Gerber, J., Puschmann, S., Petrowski, K., Joraschky, P., et al. (2010). Reduced olfactory bulb volume and olfactory sensitivity in patients with acute major depression. Neuroscience, 169(1), 415–421. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.05.012.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Negoias, S., Aszmann, O., Croy, I., & Hummel, T. (2013). Localization of odors can be learned. Chemical Senses, 38(7), 553–562. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjt026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Negoias, S., Hummel, T., Symmank, A., Schellong, J., Joraschky, P., & Croy, I. (2015). Olfactory bulb volume predicts therapeutic outcome in major depression disorder. Brain Imaging and Behavior. doi:10.1007/s11682-015-9400-x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neville, K. R., & Haberly, L. B. (2004). Olfactory cortex. In M. S. G. (Ed.), The Synaptic Organization of the Brain (pp. 415–454). New York: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, A. D., Pelavin, P. E., Shenton, M. E., Chilakamarri, P., McCarley, R. W., Nestor, P. G., et al. (2011). Olfactory sulcal depth and olfactory bulb volume in patients with schizophrenia: an MRI study. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 5(4), 252–261. doi:10.1007/s11682-011-9129-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, A., Hahner, A., Kitzler, H. H., & Hummel, T. (2015). Are small olfactory bulbs a risk for olfactory loss following an upper respiratory tract infection? European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. doi:10.1007/s00405-015-3524-x.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Podlesek, D., Leimert, M., Schuster, B., Gerber, J., Schackert, G., Kirsch, M., et al. (2012). Olfactory bulb volume in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Neuroradiology, 54(11), 1229–1233. doi:10.1007/s00234-012-1050-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rabin, M. D., & Cain, W. S. (1986). Determinants of measured olfactory sensitivity. Perception & Psychophysics, 39(4), 281–286.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rombaux, P., Mouraux, A., Bertrand, B., Nicolas, G., Duprez, T., & Hummel, T. (2006). Olfactory function and olfactory bulb volume in patients with postinfectious olfactory loss. Laryngoscope, 116(3), 436–439. doi:10.1097/01.MLG.0000195291.36641.1E.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rombaux, P., Potier, H., Bertrand, B., Duprez, T., & Hummel, T. (2008). Olfactory bulb volume in patients with sinonasal disease. American Journal of Rhinology, 22(6), 598–601. doi:10.2500/ajr.2008.22.3237.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rombaux, P., Huart, C., De Volder, A. G., Cuevas, I., Renier, L., Duprez, T., et al. (2010a). Increased olfactory bulb volume and olfactory function in early blind subjects. NeuroReport, 21(17), 1069–1073. doi:10.1097/WNR.0b013e32833fcb8a.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rombaux, P., Potier, H., Markessis, E., Duprez, T., & Hummel, T. (2010b). Olfactory bulb volume and depth of olfactory sulcus in patients with idiopathic olfactory loss. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 267(10), 1551–1556. doi:10.1007/s00405-010-1230-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Royet, J. P., Plailly, J., Saive, A. L., Veyrac, A., & Delon-Martin, C. (2013). The impact of expertise in olfaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 928. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00928.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rupp, C. I. (2010). Olfactory function and schizophrenia: an update. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 23(2), 97–102. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e328336643f.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schriever, V. A., Lehmann, S., Prange, J., & Hummel, T. (2014). Preventing olfactory deterioration: olfactory training may be of help in older people. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62(2), 384–386. doi:10.1111/jgs.12669.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomann, P. A., Dos Santos, V., Toro, P., Schonknecht, P., Essig, M., & Schroder, J. (2009). Reduced olfactory bulb and tract volume in early Alzheimer's disease--a MRI study. Neurobiology of Aging, 30(5), 838–841. doi:10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2007.08.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turetsky, B. I., Moberg, P. J., Yousem, D. M., Doty, R. L., Arnold, S. E., & Gur, R. E. (2000). Reduced olfactory bulb volume in patients with schizophrenia. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 157, 828–830.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Veyseller, B., Ozucer, B., Aksoy, F., Yildirim, Y. S., Gurbuz, D., Balikci, H. H., et al. (2012). Reduced olfactory bulb volume and diminished olfactory function in total laryngectomy patients: a prospective longitudinal study. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 26(3), 191–193. doi:10.2500/ajra.2012.26.3768.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Gudden, B. (1870). Experimentaluntersuchungen über das peripherische und Centrale Nervensystem. Archiv für Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten, 2(3), 693–723.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., Chen, L., & Jacob, T. (2004). Evidence for peripheral plasticity in human odour response. The Journal of Physiology, 554, 236–244.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yousem, D. M., Geckle, R. J., Bilker, W. B., McKeown, D. A., & Doty, R. L. (1996). Posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction: MR and clinical evaluation. AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology, 17(6), 1171–1179.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yousem, D. M., Geckle, R. J., Doty, R. L., & Bilker, W. B. (1997). Reproducibility and reliability of volumetric measurements of olfactory eloquent structures. Academic Radiology, 4, 264–269.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yousem, D. M., Geckle, R. J., Bilker, W. B., & Doty, R. L. (1998). Olfactory bulb and tract and temporal lobe volumes. Normative data across decades. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 855, 546–555.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yousem, D. M., Geckle, R. J., Bilker, W. B., Kroger, H., & Doty, R. L. (1999). Posttraumatic smell loss: relationship of psychophysical tests and volumes of the olfactory bulbs and tracts and the temporal lobes. Academic Radiology, 6, 264–272.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    S. Negoias, K. Pietsch & T. Hummel

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland

    S. Negoias

Authors
  1. S. Negoias
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Pietsch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Hummel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Negoias.

Ethics declarations

Funding

The study did not receive external funding.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors declares any conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Negoias, S., Pietsch, K. & Hummel, T. Changes in olfactory bulb volume following lateralized olfactory training. Brain Imaging and Behavior 11, 998–1005 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-016-9567-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-016-9567-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation