Olfactory sensitivity: functioning in schizophrenia and implications for understanding the nature and progression of psychosis

Abstract

Prefrontal neural processes maturing during neurodevelopment parallel normal improvement in higher order olfactory processing (identification) from childhood. Hence, disorders of adolescence such as schizophrenia that implicate prefrontal regions are associated with olfactory identification deficits in the presence of relatively intact lower order olfactory processing capacity (sensation) and mediating neural processes (limbic system). Understanding the linear neural trajectory of olfactory processing can assist in detecting the location, nature, and extent of early compromise of circuitry implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as psychosis. More recently, relatively discreet odorant sensitivity problems in schizophrenia have been described and these appear related to secretion of malodorous compounds. These findings have significant implications for future genetic prediction of this disorder.