96. Jahresversammlung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie

Prof. Dr. med.

Chairs

Prof. Dr.

NUR Wissenschaftliches Programm / ONLY Scientific Programme

Postviral olfactory loss: Cellular changes

M.D., Ph.D.

Invited lecture

Genetic background of congenital anosmia

PD Dr. med.

Causes of olfactory loss in cystic fibrosis 

Lecture by the Winner of the Award of the AG Olfactology/Gustology 2024

Mucociliary Clearance

Award lecture

Prof. Dr. Dr.

Prof.

Post-COVID patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction show dysregulated expression of key metabolic pathways in the nasal epithelium

Olfaktologie / Gustologie

RHINO-OLF/GUS

Introduction Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is common after COVID-19. The underlying mechanism of this impairment is linked to molecular changes that can be studied using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). The aim of this study was to evaluate metabolic pathways (MPs) to find significant differences in patients with and without OD after COVID-19.Material/methodscRNA-seq was performed on nasal biopsy samples (n=29) from clinically well-characterised patients with/without permanent OD persisting for more than 3 months. All subjects completed a health status questionnaire. Olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Statistical analysis on 2306 MPs was performed.ResultsThe study included 13 females and 16 males with a mean age of 42.9 years (SD=13.1). Samples contained a total of 56,624 cells. Statistically significantly (p<0.01) regulated MPs between OD and non-OD participants were classified into the following groups: dysregulated protein biosynthesis, cell cycle metabolism with regenerative function, olfactory signalling, cellular immune response and cellular bioenergetics. Significant disturbances were observed in pathways involved in transmitting signals to neurons. Aside from that dysregulated pathways involved in protein metabolism and apoptosis were identified.DiscussionThe disruption of key MPs indicates a disturbance in the olfactory signal transduction, an impaired regenerative capacity of receptors, and a failure to regenerate epithelial cells, resulting in a dysfunctional mucosal barrier and impaired neurosignalling. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying OD is crucial for the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies to restore olfactory function in post-COVID patients.No

Rhinologie

RHINO

Free lecture

Innovation bei der Therapie von Riechstörungen: Substitution olfaktorischer Stimuli durch die Reizung des trigeminalen Systems beim Menschen

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) affects around 20% of the population, severely impacting the quality of life. Limited therapeutic options together with technological advancements make olfactory implants a potential option, comparable to cochlear implants. Stimulation of the olfactory bulb or cortex would require invasive procedures emphasizing the need for less invasive intranasal stimulation. In this context, the trigeminal system may be used as a potential substitution system.Method: In a multicentric design, a first study assessed the trigeminal function in healthy individuals (n=28) and patients with OD (n=54) of different aetiologies and ages using electrical stimulation of the nasal mucosa. A second exploratory study, conducted in normosmics (n=13) and patients with OD (n=52), evaluated the ability to detect and discriminate electrical stimuli. In this last pilot study, the electrical stimulation system was coupled to an artificial nose activated by odor molecules presented from two Sniffin` Sticks.Results: The first study showed that in the majority of patients with OD, intranasal somatosensory trigeminal function was preserved, irrespective of the degree of olfactory loss. Preliminary results from the second study showed that while 100% of participants (controls or patients) were able to detect intranasal electrical stimulation, only 2/3 were able to discriminate between stimulations, which is still encouraging.Discussion: Taken together, these two studies suggest that trigeminal stimulation could be a good way of substituting the sense of smell in people with olfactory loss.This Project has received funding from the European Union"s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 964529 (Pathfinder Rose project).nein

International Session 13
Rhinology – Causes of Olfactory Dysfunction

Appointment

Chairs

Topic

Language

Programme

International Session 13Rhinology – Causes of Olfactory Dysfunction

Appointment

Chairs

Topic

Language

Programme

International Session 13
Rhinology – Causes of Olfactory Dysfunction