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Specific alterations of olfactory function in humans with temporal lobe lesions

Nature volume 255, pages 557–558 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

SUBSTANTIAL anatomical and electrophysiological evidence suggests that human temporal lobe structures are involved in the processing of odour perception. The temporal lobe has both afferent and efferent connections with the olfactory bulb1,2, the major synaptic junction for primary fibres from the olfactory receptors. Olfactory auras accompany epileptic seizures of temporal lobe origin3, and electrical stimulation of the uncus and amygdala in conscious patients elicits odour sensations4. There are, however, no known quantitative studies of olfactory function in patients with surgically verified temporal lobe lesions. The present findings demonstrate that removal of the temporal lobe increases odour detection thresholds (ODT), whereas odour recognition thresholds (ORT) remain similar to those of subjects without brain damage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurosurgery and Psychiatry and Brain Research Institute, University of California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, 90024

    REBECCA RAUSCH & E. A. SERAFETINIDES

Authors
  1. REBECCA RAUSCH
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  2. E. A. SERAFETINIDES
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RAUSCH, R., SERAFETINIDES, E. Specific alterations of olfactory function in humans with temporal lobe lesions. Nature 255, 557–558 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/255557a0

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