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Humans without a sense of smell breathe differently

Author

Listed:
  • Lior Gorodisky

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Danielle Honigstein

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Aharon Weissbrod

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Reut Weissgross

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Timna Soroka

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

  • Sagit Shushan

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science
    The Edith Wolfson Medical Center
    The Edith Wolfson Medical Center)

  • Noam Sobel

    (Weizmann Institute of Science
    Weizmann Institute of Science)

Abstract

Olfaction may play a restricted role in human behavior, yet paradoxically, its absence in anosmia is associated with diverse deleterious outcomes, culminating in reduced life expectancy. The mammalian nose serves two purposes: olfaction and breathing. Because respiratory patterns are impacted by odors, we hypothesized that nasal respiratory airflow may be altered in anosmia. We apply a wearable device that precisely logs nasal airflow for 24-hour-long sessions in participants with isolated congenital anosmia and controls. We observe significantly altered patterns of respiratory nasal airflow in anosmia in wake and in sleep. These differences allow classification of anosmia at 83% accuracy using the respiratory trace alone. Patterns of respiratory airflow have pronounced impact on health, emotion and cognition. We therefore suggest that a portion of the deleterious outcomes associated with anosmia may be attributed to altered patterns of respiratory nasal airflow rather than a direct result of lost odor perception per se.

Suggested Citation

  • Lior Gorodisky & Danielle Honigstein & Aharon Weissbrod & Reut Weissgross & Timna Soroka & Sagit Shushan & Noam Sobel, 2024. "Humans without a sense of smell breathe differently," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-52650-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52650-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ofer Perl & Aharon Ravia & Mica Rubinson & Ami Eisen & Timna Soroka & Nofar Mor & Lavi Secundo & Noam Sobel, 2019. "Human non-olfactory cognition phase-locked with inhalation," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 3(5), pages 501-512, May.
    2. Anat Arzi & Liron Rozenkrantz & Lior Gorodisky & Danit Rozenkrantz & Yael Holtzman & Aharon Ravia & Tristan A. Bekinschtein & Tatyana Galperin & Ben-Zion Krimchansky & Gal Cohen & Anna Oksamitni & Ele, 2020. "Olfactory sniffing signals consciousness in unresponsive patients with brain injuries," Nature, Nature, vol. 581(7809), pages 428-433, May.
    3. Roni Kahana-Zweig & Maya Geva-Sagiv & Aharon Weissbrod & Lavi Secundo & Nachum Soroker & Noam Sobel, 2016. "Measuring and Characterizing the Human Nasal Cycle," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-28, October.
    4. N. Sobel & V. Prabhakaran & J. E. Desmond & G. H. Glover & R. L. Goode & E. V. Sullivan & J. D. E. Gabrieli, 1998. "Sniffing and smelling: separate subsystems in the human olfactory cortex," Nature, Nature, vol. 392(6673), pages 282-286, March.
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