Functional magnetic resonance imaging in coronavirus disease 2019 induced olfactory dysfunction

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the functional magnetic resonance imaging changes in the olfactory structures of coronavirus disease 2019 patients experiencing olfactory dysfunction. Methods This study included patients aged 25–65 years who presented with a sudden loss of smell, confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 infection, and persistent olfactory dysfunction for a minimum of 2 months without any treatment. Results Irrespective of the side of brain activation, the analysis of the cumulative maximum diameter of the activation zones revealed significantly lower activation in the upper frontal lobe (p = 0.037) and basal ganglia (p = 0.023) in olfactory dysfunction patients. Irrespective of the side of activation, the analysis of the number of activation points demonstrated significantly lower activation in the upper frontal lobe (p = 0.036) and basal ganglia (p = 0.009) in olfactory dysfunction patients. Conclusion Patients with coronavirus-triggered olfactory dysfunction exhibited lower activity in their basal ganglia and upper frontal lobe.