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THE
SENSE OF SMELL/Olfactory Receptor Neurons The Olfactory Receptor Neuron (ORN) is the workhorse of the nose. They function as sensory cells, detecting the myriad of odors around us. They are also nerve cells and are connected directly to the brain. Researchers and clinicians are attempting to determine how human ORNs translate the chemical fingerprint of odorants into electrical information that can be interpreted by the brain. At the Monell-Jefferson Taste & Smell clinic, donors contribute ORNs for research projects. One of the leading researchers, Edmund Pribitkin, at the clinic became interested in the sense of smell through his work as a sinus surgeon, "What happens when you operate on the nose and sinuses is that you're altering not only the function of the sinuses but also the sense of smell." One discovery is this, calcium is involved in the cell's response to stimulation; a change in the amount of calcium in the cell, tells the researchers when a ORN has responded to a particular odor. Human ORNs are different than rats and other animals. Other species always respond to odors with an increase in calcium, a significant number of human ORN cells do the opposite, they show a decrease in calcium concentration after exposure to an odor. Humans also have only about 40% of the number of different olfactory receptors that rats do. The researchers painstakingly apply odorants to the bowling pin shaped cells and watch computer screen to see the response. By comparing results of other species, human receptors have another unusual characteristic. They are more selective than ORNs from other species. Many rat ORNs will respond to several unrelated odors, where as those from young humans rarely do. This suggests that the way we interpret odor is different than other species. Another discovery is that despite the fact that we tend to lose our sense of smell as we age, there are as many ORN in older people as there are in younger people, and they are usually more responsive. The hypothesis is that human ORNs become less selective as we age, a single cell may respond to several odors of significantly different chemical structure. These receptors may be in a state of chronic adaptation, and therefore have a functional reduction of sensitivity. ORNs
are directly connected to the brain. When they are stimulated they send a
signal to a cell in the olfactory bulb, part of the brain that processes
all incoming information about odor. Electrophysiologists can use
sophisticated monitoring to study the cells and determine how it
functions, by observing the flow of ions (calcium, sodium, potassium)
through the cell. Besides
the possible breakthroughs in neuron regeneration, ORN research may
provide clues in other disorders. For example, one of the earliest
clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease is reduced olfactory function. It is
possible that studying what happens in the olfactory neurons, can yield
clues as to what is happening in other neurons. Another condition being
studied is bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder. bipolar disorder is
treated with lithium, but is has yet to be understood how it works. New
research shows that there are differences in the calcium response in ORNs
of patients before and after they have had their lithium. All of us have had the experience a smell triggering an emotional feeling, or taking us back to a moment in time. Stefan Fatsis, a journalist covering events at the World Trade Center contacted Dr. Dalton at the Monell Clinic after experiencing intense feelings of sadness and grief upon smelling the air around the site. Many New Yorkers had noted a distinct odor in Manhattan, "the scent of devastation." It was not the typical urban smell, but something very bad and unique. Mr. Fatsis along with Dr. Dalton and two colleagues (none from New York) visited the sight, their reaction to the odor was one of curiosity, but to local people the smell had a profound effect, causing misery, sadness and grief. "It was a bad odor but not the worst I have ever smelled," Dalton recounts. "It was strange and unique and obviously very complex; a burning smell with overtones of rubber - bitter and sweet at the same time. What differed was our emotional reaction. When we smelled it, we were simply curious. But Stefan's demeanor changed completely. It was instantaneous - his shoulders slumped and his face got less animated. You could see that he was miserable." The group took air samples to study the composition of the odor. This analysis reveled a unique odor, ...'like a soup that had never been mixed before. You had materials that normally you shouldn't have been smelling." The group plans on studying the olfactory function of individuals exposed to this odor. The
researchers were brought in by a journalist, who by training recognized
that there was something unique going on related to the odor and his
emotional experiences. However, many people do not connect the feelings
they are having with the odors they are smelling, and may think they are
having a breakdown. The intense work of rescue and emergency workers of
all types, firefighters, and combat veterans is usually done under
extremely stressful circumstances and all the while they are being exposed
to a myriad of sensory information. The same is true for victims of
violence and trauma. It is possible for future vivid, emotional memories
and anxiety attacks to be triggered by exposure to a similar odor. This
fact was recognized by a traumatologist from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, who recently contacted Dr. Dalton. He was working with
recovery workers who were exhuming bodies and realized that some of the
"potent and frightening emotional memories the workers encountered
afterwards might be triggered by odors." At his request Dr. Dalton is
developing an informational video designed to train rescue workers and
military personal involved in odor-associated traumatic events. The intent
is to lessen the impact of these events, by preparing them beforehand.
"We hope that we can lessen the impact by preparing these individuals
for what may happen to them. Although we still don't know enough to
prevent the associations from occurring, I think that just understanding
what's happening is a significant way to give people the sense that
they're still in control of their mental health and lives,' say Dr.
Dalton. She intends to develop a professional production that can be
distributed to those who have had trauma associated with an odor.
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Aromatic
Plant Project · 219 Carl Street · San Francisco, CA 94117
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