Functional imaging of effects of fragrances on the human brain after prolonged inhalation

Chem Senses. 1994 Aug;19(4):359-64. doi: 10.1093/chemse/19.4.359.

Abstract

Beside olfactory or trigeminal stimulation of chemosensory receptor-cells some results in published literature suggest that fragrances show a direct affect on the brain. The effect of the fragrance 1,8-cineol, which was described in literature as 'stimulating', on regional and global cerebral blood flow (rCBF and gCBF) in the human brain after prolonged inhalation was investigated. The results show an increase of global-CBF without preference to primary or secondary olfactory centres after an inhalation-time of 20 min.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Chemoreceptor Cells / drug effects
  • Chemoreceptor Cells / physiology
  • Cyclohexanols*
  • Eucalyptol
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Menthol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Menthol / pharmacology
  • Monoterpenes*
  • Odorants*
  • Smell / physiology*
  • Terpenes*
  • Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Cyclohexanols
  • Monoterpenes
  • Terpenes
  • Menthol
  • Eucalyptol