Abstract |
The treatment of non-conductive olfactory disorders is to a large extent an unsolved problem. This proof-of-concept study focused on possible effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate ( NMDA) antagonist caroverine. Potential mechanisms for the hypothesized effect included reduced feedback inhibition in the olfactory bulb as a consequence of NMDA antagonistic actions and antagonism of an excitotoxic action of glutamate. A total of 77 consecutive patients with non-conductive olfactory disorders were included in the study. Fifty-one patients received caroverine for 4 weeks (120 mg/day); 26 controls matched for age, gender and duration of olfactory loss were treated with zinc sulfate for the same length of time (400 mg/day). Olfactory sensitivity was evaluated before and after treatment. Testing included assessment of n-butanol odor threshold and odor identification. When compared to baseline, treatment with caroverine improved both odor thresholds (p = 0.005) and odor identification (p = 0.042) in anosmic patients. In hyposmic patients it significantly improved odor identification ability (p = 0.041). In contrast, zinc sulfate had no significant effect on olfactory function. These results indicate that caroverine appears to be effective for the treatment of non-conductive smell disorders.
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Authors | Christian Quint, Andreas F P Temmel, Thomas Hummel, Klaus Ehrenberger |
Journal | Acta oto-laryngologica
(Acta Otolaryngol)
Vol. 122
Issue 8
Pg. 877-81
(Dec 2002)
ISSN: 0001-6489 [Print] England |
PMID | 12542209
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Quinoxalines
- N-Methylaspartate
- Zinc Sulfate
- caroverine
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- N-Methylaspartate
(antagonists & inhibitors)
- Olfaction Disorders
(diagnosis, drug therapy, etiology)
- Quinoxalines
(therapeutic use)
- Sensory Thresholds
(drug effects)
- Smell
(drug effects)
- Zinc Sulfate
(therapeutic use)
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