Insula and olfaction: A literature review and case report

Roy-Côté, F., Zahal, R., Frasnelli, J., Nguyen, D. K. et Boucher, O. (2021). Insula and olfaction: A literature review and case report. Brain Sciences, 11 (2). Article 198. ISSN 2076-3425 DOI 10.3390/brainsci11020198

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Résumé

Abstract
Background
It is well established that the insula is involved in olfaction, though its specific role in olfactory processing remains uncertain. In this paper, we first review the current literature on the insula and olfaction. Then, we describe the case of a 56-year-old man with a left insular cavernoma that caused olfactory disturbances.

Results
Structural neuroimaging studies suggest that insular gray matter volume is related to olfactory function, and functional neuroimaging shows that various types of stimuli lead to either lateralized or bilateral insular activations. Studies using electro-cortical stimulation reveal a specific region of the insular cortex, around the central insular sulcus, that could be related to unpleasant odor processing. Previous cases of insular lesions leading to olfactory disturbances suggest that left-sided insular lesions may more frequently lead to olfactory changes. In our patient with a left insular cavernoma, odors that were previously perceived as pleasant started smelling unpleasant and were hard to distinguish. Despite these subjective complaints, olfactory function assessed with the Sniffin’ Sticks test was normal.

Conclusions
Current tests may not be sensitive to all types of olfactory impairments associated with insular damage, and further studies should be conducted to develop olfactory tests assessing the hedonic appreciation of odors.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Insula Lesion Olfaction Sniffin’ Sticks Cavernous angioma Review
Date de dépôt:	19 févr. 2026 18:05
Dernière modification:	19 févr. 2026 18:05
Version du document déposé:	Version officielle de l'éditeur
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/12624

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