Effects of anti-depressants on olfactory sensitivity in mice

Rationale and objectivesSome studies have underlined a decrease in olfactory sensitivity in patients suffering from depression. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of current anti-depressant drugs on the olfactory sensitivity in mice.Methods mice(N° = 22) were tested in a Y-maze with a choice between an odorant (butanol) or distilled water before and during 3 weeks of daily intra-peritoneal injection of either citalopram or clomipramine. Their performance was compared with those of a control group (N° = 11) injected with a saline solution.ResultsThe results showed a significant decrease in olfactory sensitivity with both anti-depressants during the three weeks of treatment.ConclusionThe antidepressant induced alteration in serotonin and/or noradrenaline transmission in the olfactory bulb may account for the altered olfactory sensitivity observed in this study.