Investigational drugs for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Olfactory dysfunction could be the sign of acquired or degenerative diseases. The loss of the sense can be caused by a damage in the nasal structure (olfactory epithelium) or a neuro inflammation/degeneration in the superior olfactory pathway. The understanding of the origin of the smell alteration would be desirable for appropriate management of the problem. Unfortunately, clinical investigations do not always allow to define the exact cause.

Areas covered

This review discusses the treatments available and their mechanism of action based on the administration methods; in fact, just looking at the results obtained by the researcher using topic versus systemic treatment, might be possible to speculate about the peripheral or central origin of the olfactory disorder.

Expert opinion

Because COVID-19 causes olfactory loss and several treatments (topical and systemic) have been tested in this disease, we have decided to use this model of acquired olfactory loss to discuss the different therapeutical option. The authors believe these treatments might be an option also for treating olfactory disease related to neurodegeneration.

KEYWORDS:

• Smell loss
• olfactory
• neuroepithelium
• olfactory bulbs
• olfactory cortex
• neuroinflammation
• cortisone
• vitamin A
• Palmitoylethanolamide
• Luteolin
• PEA
• LUT
• PEALUT

Declaration of interest

A Di Stadio has been a scientific research consultant for Humana Italia and Epitech Italy. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.