Olfactory processing and brain maturation

Abstract

Introduction, Olfactory deficits are found in neurodegenerative disorders, predominantly in later life, as well as in disorders with an onset in childhood or adolescence. The former will be considered in detail in Chapters 14-16. It is clear that the neuropathological changes accompanying neurodegenerative disorders are implicated in causing such deficits in olfactory abilities. In contrast, the processes underlying olfactory abnormalities in disorders of early development are less clear and are best understood in the context of dynamic brain maturational changes that are occurring at this time. Thus, neurobiology relevant to the deficits observed in disorders having a neurodevelopmental bas..