Modulating salience network connectivity through olfactory nerve stimulation.

ABSTRACT: Depression is associated with reduced functional connectivity within the brain's salience network and its strengthened interactions with the default mode network (DMN). Modification of this clinical pattern is challenging. Leveraging the direct neural pathways from olfactory processing regions to the salience network, we explored the effects of electrical stimulation of the olfactory mucosa on brain connectivity. In a randomized, blinded within-subject design, 45 healthy individuals received olfactory or trigeminal nerve stimulation followed by resting-state fMRI. Olfactory stimulation resulted in a significant increase in functional connectivity between the salience network and the piriform cortex - a primary olfactory structure. Importantly, this stimulation increased functional connecti

SUBMITTER: Heller C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12370952 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature