For the visual and auditory senses, an array of studies has reported on neuronal reorganization processes after sensory loss. In contrast to this, neuroplasticity has been investigated only scarcely after loss of the olfactory sense. The present review focuses on the current extent of literature on structural and functional neuroplasticity effects after loss, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging–based studies. We also include findings on the regain of the olfactory sense, for example after successful olfactory training. Existing studies indicate that widespread structural changes beyond the level of the olfactory bulb occur in the brain after loss of the olfactory sense. Moreover, on a functional level, loss of olfactory input not only entails changes in olfaction-related brain regions but also in the trigeminal system. Existing evidence should be strengthened by future longitudinal studies, a more thorough investigation of the neuronal consequences of congenital anosmia, and the application of state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods, such as connectivity analyses and joint analyses of brain structure and function.

对于视觉和听觉，已经进行了一系列关于感觉丧失后神经元重组过程的研究。与此相反，仅在嗅觉丧失后才对神经可塑性进行了研究。本综述侧重于有关丢失后结构和功能神经可塑性影响的文献的当前范围，并侧重于基于磁共振成像的研究。我们还包括有关嗅觉恢复的发现，例如在成功进行嗅觉训练之后。现有研究表明，嗅觉丧失后，大脑中会发生超出嗅球水平的广泛结构变化。而且，在功能水平上，嗅觉输入的损失不仅需要改变与嗅觉有关的大脑区域，还需要改变三叉神经系统。