title: Recovery of olfactory function induces neuroplasticity effects in patients with smell loss.
abstract: The plasticity of brain function, especially reorganization after stroke or sensory loss, has been investigated extensively. Based upon its special characteristics, the olfactory system allows the investigation of functional networks in patients with smell loss, as it holds the unique ability to be activated by the sensorimotor act of sniffing, without the presentation of an odor. In the present study, subjects with chronic peripheral smell loss and healthy controls were investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare functional networks in one of the major olfactory areas before and after an olfactory training program. Data analysis revealed that olfactory training induced alterations in functional connectivity networks. Thus, olfactory training is capable of inducing neural reorganization processes. Furthermore, these findings provide evidence for the underlying neural mechanisms of olfactory training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria ; Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5983-5307
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kollndorfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Ksenia
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1497-9550
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoche
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.affiliation: High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trattnig
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1937-4216
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schöpf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function