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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 3/2015

01-05-2015 | Regular Article

Assessment of cerebral blood flow in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity using near-infrared spectroscopy—recovery after olfactory stimulation: a case–control study

Authors: Kenichi Azuma, Iwao Uchiyama, Mari Tanigawa, Ikuko Bamba, Michiyo Azuma, Hirohisa Takano, Toshikazu Yoshikawa, Kou Sakabe

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 3/2015

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Abstract

Objectives

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic acquired disorder characterized by non-specific symptoms in multiple organ systems associated with exposure to odorous chemicals. We previously observed significant activations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during olfactory stimulation using several different odorants in patients with MCS by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging. We also observed that the patients with MCS did not adequately distinguish non-odorant in the late stage of the repeated olfactory stimulation test. The sensory recovery of the olfactory system in the patients with MCS may process odors differently from healthy subjects after olfactory stimulation.

Methods

We examined the recovery process of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) after olfactory stimulation in patients with MCS. NIRS imaging was performed in 6 patients with MCS and in 6 controls. The olfactory stimulation test was continuously repeated 10 times. The study also included a subjective assessment of the physical and psychological status and of the perception of irritating and hedonic odors.

Results

After olfactory stimulation, significant activations were observed in the PFC of patients with MCS on both the right and left sides compared with controls. The activations were specifically strong in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Compared with controls, autonomic perception and feelings identification were poorer in patients with MCS. OFC is associated with stimuli response and the representation of preferences.

Conclusions

These results suggest that a past strong exposure to hazardous chemicals activates the PFC during olfactory stimuli in patients with MCS, and a strong activation in the OFC remains after the stimuli.
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Metadata
Title
Assessment of cerebral blood flow in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity using near-infrared spectroscopy—recovery after olfactory stimulation: a case–control study
Authors
Kenichi Azuma
Iwao Uchiyama
Mari Tanigawa
Ikuko Bamba
Michiyo Azuma
Hirohisa Takano
Toshikazu Yoshikawa
Kou Sakabe
Publication date
01-05-2015
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 3/2015
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-015-0448-4

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