OLFACTORY MATURATION DURING CHILDHOOD

童年时期的嗅觉成熟

• 批准号: 3854012
• 负责人: ROBERT A RICHMAN
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: UPSTATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 至
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3854012
• 关键词: adolescence (12-20); behavior test; bone development disorder; child (0-11); child physical development; cognition; diagnosis design /evaluation; discrimination learning; disease /disorder proneness /risk; dosage forms; hormone regulation /control mechanism; human puberty; hypogonadism; hypothyroidism; intelligence tests; mathematical model; olfactions; olfactory disorder; olfactory stimulus; olfactory threshold; photography; postnatal growth disorder; precocious puberty; premature infant human; psychological reinforcement; psychophysics; sensory disorder diagnosis; sex hormones; statistics /biometry; thyroid hormones

Due, in part, to the lack of standardized testing methods, relatively little data is available regarding olfaction in children. To remedy this situation, we have developed a pediatric olfactory test which makes use of five odorants found in the home which have been microencapsulated. The children identify the smell by pointing to one of five photographs depicting the test substances. Five blocks of the five test odorants are presented in random order within each block. The responses are quantified using confusion matrix analysis, which permits the determination of the percent correct identifications and the evaluation of the pattern of incorrect responses. We have established the normal range of responses for ages 4 to 10 years. Percent correct increases as a function of age, suggesting that olfactory maturation is not complete at birth and that development continues through childhood. If so, intrauterine events, environmental stimuli, or biological processes may alter or arrest olfactory development. For example, we found that some children, particularly boys, with midline structural defects (cleft lip and palate), are at increased risk for olfactory deficits. To determine if interruption of normal gestational events results in altered olfactory maturation, we plan to study olfaction in children born prematurely. Such children have an increased incidence of neurological deficits, but olfaction has not been specifically investigated. Since, in the neonatal period, small premature infants often experience olfactory deprivation from prolonged periods of assisted ventilation, it seems reasonable that this latter group might be particularly susceptible to olfactory deficits. We will test graduates of our intensive care nursery, now ages 4 through 13 years, with our pediatric olfactory test. Since animal studies indicate that hormones, particularly sex steroids, may modulate olfactory maturation, we will then study children with premature and delayed puberty. Lastly, to attempt to demonstrate that the improvement in olfactory scores with age is due to olfactory maturation rather than changes in cognitive function, test-taking abilities, or increased familiarity with odorants, we will utilize an olfactory learning task similar to the method employed in our pediatric olfactory test. The results of our study should permit us to begin to understand the olfactory maturation process, assist in identifying children at risk for olfactory deficits, and eventually devise treatment modalities for olfactory impairments.

部分原因是缺乏标准化的测试方法， 关于儿童嗅觉的数据相对较少。 为了解决这个问题，我们开发了一种儿童嗅觉 使用在家中发现的五种气味剂进行测试 已被微胶囊化。 孩子们通过以下方式辨别气味 指着描述测试物质的五张照片中的一张。 五种测试气味剂中的五块是随机呈现的 每个块内的顺序。 使用以下方法对响应进行量化 混淆矩阵分析，可以确定 正确识别百分比和模式评估 的错误反应。 我们已经确定了正常范围 4 至 10 岁年龄段的反应。 正确率随着 年龄的函数，表明嗅觉的成熟并不 出生时就已完成，并且发育持续到 童年。 如果是这样，宫内事件、环境刺激或 生物过程可能会改变或阻止嗅觉发育。 例如，我们发现一些儿童，尤其是男孩， 中线结构缺陷（唇裂和腭裂）增加 嗅觉缺陷的风险。 判断是否中断正常 妊娠事件会导致嗅觉成熟度的改变，我们计划 研究早产儿的嗅觉。 这样的孩子 神经功能缺陷的发生率增加，但嗅觉缺陷 没有专门调查过。 因为，在新生儿 在此期间，小早产儿经常会经历嗅觉 长期剥夺辅助通气， 似乎合理的是，后一组可能特别重要 容易出现嗅觉缺陷。 我们将对我们的毕业生进行测试 重症监护托儿所，现在年龄为 4 至 13 岁，我们的 小儿嗅觉测试。 由于动物研究表明 激素，特别是性类固醇，可能会调节嗅觉 成熟后，我们将研究早产儿和早产儿 青春期延迟。 最后，试图证明 嗅觉分数随着年龄的增长而提高是由于嗅觉 成熟而不是认知功能、考试的变化 能力，或增加对气味剂的熟悉程度，我们将利用 嗅觉学习任务类似于我们采用的方法 小儿嗅觉测试。 我们的研究结果应该允许我们 开始了解嗅觉成熟过程，协助 识别有嗅觉缺陷风险的儿童，并最终 制定嗅觉障碍的治疗方式。