Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: It has been assumed that olfactory sensitivity is relatively consistent in different populations worldwide. Emerging, yet fragmented evidence lends credit to the hypothesis that olfactory sensitivity may be geographically diverse. To gain deeper insight regarding the interplay between geographical, demographic, and health factors in the context of olfactory sensitivity, we conducted a multicenter study comprising data from 1046 participants inhabiting 19 locations around the world. Our results revealed that location accounted for 17–20% of the variance in chemosensory sensitivity. Demographic and psychological factors related to working memory and depressive symptoms also contribute to explaining sensitivity to odors, accounting for 1.6–2.9% of the variance in chemosensory sensitivity. Thus, we conclude that inhabitants of different geographical regions may present different sensitivities to chemical stimuli. We discuss the factors that could potentially be included in future investigations to pinpoint even more precisely what factors determine differences in chemosensory sensitivity around the globe.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Aleksandra Reichert, Nixon M. Abraham, Jancy N. Abraham, Maria Laura Albanese, Rafieh Alizadeh, Ines Aloulou, Lixin Chen, Ma. Lourdes Berioso Enecilla, Marco Aurélio Fornazieri, Johannes Frasnelli, Juan Martin Fuselli, Fatima Gansatao, Cagdas Guducu, Anna Kristina Hernandez, Marlise K. Hofer, Salina Husain, Reda Kamel, Elliott Lamond, Francesco Loy, Mehmet K. Mahmut, Daniel Marek, Carla Masala, Élizabeth Michaluk, Imen Miri, Marjan Mirsalehi, Plamena Miteva, Isabel Bernardes Moura, Anasuha Musa, Hanène Naija, Keigo Nakaachi, Jayant M. Pinto, Patricia Portillo Mazal, Ahmed Radwan, Farhad Rafiei, Devesh Rawat, Katarzyna Resler, Henrique O. Scussiatto, Hozifa Alsaid Sheta, Sharanya M. Thodupunoori, Brianna J. Turner, Nora Van Oosterhout, Hangying Wu, Ayaho Yoshino, Laiquan Zou, Barbara Zyzelewicz, Thomas Hummel, Anna Oleszkiewicz
Institutions: University of Wrocław, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, St. Luke's Medical Center, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, East Avenue Medical Center, Dokuz Eylül University, Philippine General Hospital, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, University of the Philippines Manila, Technische Universität Dresden, University of Victoria, National University of Malaysia, Cairo University, Macquarie University, University of Cagliari, Nippon Medical School, University of Chicago, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Wroclaw Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Sensory Systems
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W7130362000