Intranasal trigeminal function in children

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • T Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • N Roudnitzky - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • W Kempter - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • D G Laing - , University of New South Wales (Author)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate trigeminal function in children compared with that of adults. Trigeminal sensitivity was assessed using a lateralization task where participants were requested to identify the side of the nose to which an odorous stimulus was presented. The ability to localize the sensation is largely based on trigeminal function. A total of 344 people participated (191 females, 153 males; mean age 12 y [SD 7 y 9 mo], range 5-54 y). Eucalyptol (EUC) was administered as a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulant; phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) was used as a control stimulant with minimal trigeminal impact. In addition, sensitivity to vibration was assessed as a somatosensory control. With regard to all age groups, PEA could not be localized whereas this was easily possible for EUC. However, the ability to localize EUC increased with age, which was not the case for PEA. No sex-related difference was found for odour localization. These results provide data for normal intranasal trigeminal function in children. They also indicate that trigeminal sensitivity is already well-developed in children.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)849-53
Number of pages5
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Volume49
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2007
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 35649008323
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/164619707

Keywords

Keywords

  • Child, Cyclohexanols, Eucalyptol, Female, Functional Laterality/physiology, Humans, Male, Monoterpenes, Nasal Cavity/physiology, Smell/physiology, Trigeminal Nerve/physiology