Electrophysiologic assessment of olfactory and gustatory function

This chapter reviews approaches for assessing human and gustatory function using electrophysiologic methods. Its focus is on changes in electrical signals, including summated generator potentials that occur after nasal or oral stimulation. In the first part of the review, we describe tools available to the clinician for assessing olfactory and nasotrigeminal function, including modern electroencephalography (EEG) analysis of brain responses both in the time domain and in the time-frequency (TF) domain. Particular attention is paid to chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERPs) and their potential use in medical–legal cases. Additionally, we focus on the changes of summated generator potentials from the olfactory and respiratory nasal epithelium that could provide new diagnostic insights. In the second part, we describe gustatory event-related potentials (gCSERPs) obtained using a relatively new computer controlled gustometer. A device for presenting different pulses of electrical current to the tongue is also described, with weaker pulses likely reflecting gCSERPs and stronger ones trigeminal CSERPs. Finally, summated generator potentials from the surface of the tongue during gustatory stimulation are described that may prove useful for examining peripheral taste function.