Consequences of gaining olfactory function after lifelong anosmia

ABSTRACT

We present a rare case in which a patient has gained her smell after lifelong anosmia. The patient was objectively tested and diagnosed with functional anosmia at age 13 and reported they were experiencing a new sensation of smell at age 22. Our results show an electrophysiological signal for two unimodal odorants. The patient had a retronasal score in the hyposmic range and self-reported the ability to smell non-trigeminal odors, but reported being disturbed by the presence of the new sense and co-occurrence of phantosmia. We discuss our case in routes of neurogenesis and non-forming memory association with odors.

KEYWORDS:

• Ansomia
• olfactory recovery
• neurogenesis
• congenital
• new sense
• memory
• phantosmia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).