17:00 - 19:00
Fri-S9
Goethe Hall
Chair/s:
Thomas Hummel
The sense of smell is plastic. This plasticity is based on the regenerative capacity of the olfactory mucosa. The regeneration is the basis for recovery after olfactory loss which is especially significant since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In COVID19 the virus attacks the olfactory mucosa and olfactory receptor neurons are destroyed during the process of the disease. During recovery, ORNs are regrown from the globose basal cells. In addition to these changes at a peripheral level, the volume of the olfactory bulb also changes in relation to olfactory function. The same has been shown for the primary and secondary olfactory cortex where also changes in functional responsiveness have been observed. It appears that the effectiveness of “olfactory training” is based on these effects.
Aim of the symposium is to highlight these plastic changes at several levels. To this end a group of excellent researchers will present work that touches upon several aspects of plasticity in the chemical senses. In terms of career levels the group is mixed, with a PhD student, four relatively young colleagues in their early career, and one established senior colleagues.
Because of the high significance of this topic in terms of recovery from COVID-19 associated olfactory loss we believe that it is highly attractive to ECRO participants!
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Supersmellers! What are they? How could we become one?
Fri-S9-005
Presented by: Katherine L. Whitcroft
Katherine L. Whitcroft
NHS – Pinderfields Hospital South Yorkshire, Centre for Olfactory Research Applications, Institute of Philosophy, School of Advanced Study, London, UCL Ear Institute, London, Smell and Taste Lab, TU Dresden
During this talk I will first address the concept of the ‘supersmeller’ – what exactly defines hyperosmia and what are the controversies surrounding its nature? I will cover the psychophysical and neuroimaging characteristics of this cohort, highlighting differences compared with normosmics and those with olfactory dysfunction. I will also briefly cover the small amount of animal research on this topic. I will then address how one might achieve the purported ‘supersmeller’ status – both in terms of practical, evidenced steps that a person or patient can take, and in terms of the underlying mechanism behind such steps
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