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Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve improves olfaction in healthy individuals: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial.
Badran, Bashar W; Gruber, Elise M; O'Leary, Georgia H; Austelle, Chris W; Huffman, Sarah M; Kahn, Alex T; McTeague, Lisa M; Uhde, Thomas W; Cortese, Bernadette M.
  • Badran BW; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Gruber EM; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • O'Leary GH; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Austelle CW; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Huffman SM; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Kahn AT; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • McTeague LM; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Uhde TW; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
  • Cortese BM; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA. Electronic address: corteseb@musc.edu.
Brain Stimul ; 15(3): 761-768, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2130191
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Both activated by environmental odorants, there is a clear role for the intranasal trigeminal and olfactory nerves in smell function. Unfortunately, our ability to perceive odorants decreases with age or with injury, and limited interventions are available to treat smell loss.

OBJECTIVE:

We investigated whether electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve via trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates odor sensitivity in healthy individuals.

METHODS:

We recruited 20 healthy adults (12 Female, mean age = 27) to participate in this three-visit, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. Participants were randomized to receive one of three stimulation modalities (TNS, tDCS, or sham) during each of their visits. Odor detection thresholds were obtained at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 30-min post-intervention. Furthermore, participants were asked to complete a sustained attention task and mood assessments before odor detection testing.

RESULTS:

Findings reveal a timeXcondition interaction for guaiacol (GUA) odorant detection thresholds (F (3.188, 60.57) = 3.833, P = 0.0125), but not phenyl ethyl alcohol (PEA) odorant thresholds. At 30-min post-stimulation, both active TNS and active tDCS showed significantly increased sensitivity to GUA compared to sham TNS (Sham TNS = -8.30% vs. Active TNS = 9.11%, mean difference 17.43%, 95% CI 5.674 to 29.18, p = 0.0044; Sham TNS = -8.30% vs. Active tDCS = 13.58%, mean difference 21.89%, 95% CI 10.47 to 33.32, p = 0.0004).

CONCLUSION:

TNS is a safe, simple, noninvasive method for boosting olfaction. Future studies should investigate the use of TNS on smell function across different stimulation parameters, odorants, and patient populations.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Smell / Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Language: English Journal: Brain Stimul Journal subject: Brain Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.brs.2022.05.005

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Smell / Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Language: English Journal: Brain Stimul Journal subject: Brain Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.brs.2022.05.005