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Olfactory Processing in Children and Young Adults

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Chemosensory Perception

Abstract

Because central nervous processing of odorous stimuli in different stages of adolescence has rarely been studied, in this preliminary fMRI investigation, 20 subjects were grouped according to age (children 9–12 years old and young adults 17–20 years old) to build two equally sized samples. Patterns of cerebral activation were compared between both groups following passive nasal stimulation with three odorants. Children mainly showed activation of olfactory cortex, namely, piriform cortex and amygdala. In young adults, enhanced activation was revealed in neocortical areas, suggesting a greater involvement of areas engaged in cognitive integration of olfactory stimuli. However, it is emphasized that additional psychological and developmental confounds should be taken into account in future studies to establish more profound results.

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Acknowledgement

We are indebted to the students of the Benno Gymnasium Dresden who volunteered for this study and to their parents and teachers who made this possible. This work was supported by the DDELTAS (Dijon-Dresden European Laboratories for Taste and Smell—LEA 549) and underwritten by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-Paris and the Technische Universität Dresden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Thomas Hummel, Cornelia Hummel, Emilia Iannilli & Arianne Baur

  2. Department of Neuroradiology, University of Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Johannes Gerber

  3. Unilever Research and Development Port Sunlight, Quarry Road East, Bebington, Wirral, CH63 3JW, UK

    Anita Chopra

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  1. Thomas Hummel
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Correspondence to Thomas Hummel.

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Hummel, T., Hummel, C., Iannilli, E. et al. Olfactory Processing in Children and Young Adults. Chem. Percept. 5, 128–137 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12078-011-9114-4

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