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Adaptation of Olfactory Threshold at High Altitude

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Neurotransmitter Interactions and Cognitive Function

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((NR,volume 837))

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the extreme environment of high altitude hypoxia on olfactory threshold. The study was conducted before, during, and after a scientific expedition to Mera Peak (5,800 m). The n-butanol test was used for the assessment of the magnitude of the olfactory threshold. The finding was that the olfactory threshold dramatically increased at high altitude. We conclude that there is a physiological adaptation of olfaction due to altitude-hypoxia.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks Josè Luiz Dantas for technical assistance.

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

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Correspondence to A. Mazzatenta .

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© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Ruffini, R., Di Giulio, C., Verratti, V., Pokorski, M., Fanò-Illic, G., Mazzatenta, A. (2014). Adaptation of Olfactory Threshold at High Altitude. In: Pokorski, M. (eds) Neurotransmitter Interactions and Cognitive Function. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology(), vol 837. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/5584_2014_70

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