Estrogen replacement therapy induces functional asymmetry on an odor memory/discrimination test

Abstract

The secondary afferents of the olfactory system largely project to the ipsilateral cortex without synapsing in the thalamus, making unilateral olfactory testing a useful probe of ipsilateral hemispheric activity. In light of evidence that lateralized performance on some perceptual tasks may be influenced by estrogen, we assessed left:right nostril differences in two measures of olfactory function in 14 post-menopausal women receiving estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) and 48 postmenopausal women receiving no such therapy. Relative to women not taking ERT, those receiving ERT exhibited better performance in the left nostril and poorer performance in the right nostril on an odor memory/discrimination test. Similar laterality effects were not observed for an odor detection threshold test employing phenyl ethyl alcohol. These results suggest that estrogen influences the lateralization of an odor memory/discrimination task and that hormone replacement therapy in the menopause may be an excellent paradigm for understanding lateralizing effects of hormones on some sensory processes.

Non-invasive High Frequency Median Nerve Stimulation Effectively Suppresses Olfactory Intensity Perception in Healthy Males

“…None of the participants in the current study displayed total anosmia which was the exclusion criteria for the current study and therefore, all participants presented olfactory performances in OIT to a standard held in line with the existing olfactory research (Doty et al, 1984, 1995). All participants scored between 8 and 12 out of 12 in the ODMT which corresponds to healthy ranges, in line with existing literature (Doty et al, 1984, 1995; Choudhury et al, 2003; Doty, 2003). In this context, all participants were qualified to take part in the current study.…”

Association between Sex, CD4 Cell Counts, Antiretroviral Medications, and Olfactory and Gustatory Functions of HIV‐Infected Adults

“…However, the observed tendency for HIV-infected men to develop olfactory identification dysfunction more than the HIV-infected women may be related to a difference in their reproductive hormones. 50 A significant correlation existed between latest CD4 cell count and OT only. Brody et al 51 reported no correlation between olfactory function and CD4 count.…”

“…However, the observed tendency for HIV-infected men to develop olfactory identification dysfunction more than the HIV-infected women may be related to a difference in their reproductive hormones. 50…”

Modulatory Effects of Sex Steroids Progesterone and Estradiol on Odorant Evoked Responses in Olfactory Receptor Neurons

“…Female rodents show when they are most fertile and exhibit the greatest discrimination between sexual potent and impotent males [ 63 ]. In humans, female changes in olfactory preference to male odors correlate with phases of fertility during their menstrual cycle [ 11 , 46 , 45 , 64 ]. The enhancement and attenuation of olfactory sensitivity according to the circulating concentrations of steroid hormones may trigger appropriate behavioral and neuronal mechanisms in reproductively active and inactive individuals.…”