Nasal trigeminal chemosensitivity across the adult life span

Abstract

Individuals can determine the side of the nose that receives an odorant during unilateral presentation (lateralize) if endings of the trigeminal nerve are stimulated. By using psychophysical methods, olfactory detection and trigeminal lateralization thresholds for l-butanol were obtained from 142 individuals ranging in age from 20 to 89 years. Sensitivity in both chemosensory pathways declined with advancing age, especially in people older than 60 years.