New research has uncovered insights into the loss of smell experienced by COVID-19 patients. Olfactory dysfunction is a common symptom, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In a recent study, scientists conducted brain MRI scans on individuals with persistent COVID-19-related Olfactory dysfunction comparing them to a control group. While gross morphological measures showed no significant differences, graph analysis revealed disrupted connectivity in the functional olfactory network among COVID-19 patients. These findings suggest that the loss of smell may be linked to altered communication within the brain’s olfactory network. The researchers emphasize the need for larger-scale studies to confirm these results. Understanding the pathophysiology of smell loss in COVID-19 could pave the way for improved diagnostics and targeted treatments.

Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-023-00818-x