Congenital anosmia

Other Names: Isolated congenital anosmia; ANIC Congenital anosmia is a condition in which people are born with a lifelong inability to smell. It may occur as an isolated abnormality (no additional symptoms) or be associated with a specific genetic disorder (such as Kallmann syndrome or congenital insensitivity to pain).

Epidemiology

Studies suggest that approximately 1 in 10,000 people are affected by congenital anosmia. This includes people affected by isolated congenital anosmia (no additional symptoms) and those with congenital anosmia caused by a specific genetic disorder (such as Kallmann syndrome or congenital insensitivity to pain).

Cause

Congenital anosmia may occur as an isolated abnormality or be associated with specific genetic disorders (such as Kallmann syndrome and congenital insensitivity to pain). Most cases of isolated congenital anosmia (not associated with additional symptoms) occur sporadically in people with no family history of the condition. In these people, the exact underlying cause of the condition is unknown. Scientists suspect that the condition is due to abnormal development of the olfactory system (the sensory system used for sense of smell) prior to birth. This may include abnormalities of the nasal cavity; disruptions in the pathway that carries information from the nose to the brain; or malformations of the portion of the brain that processes sense of smell.

When isolated congenital anosmia affects more than one family member, it may have a genetic component. One study found that some people affected by isolated congenital anosmia have changes (mutations) in the PROKR2 gene or PROK2 gene. These genes have previously been reported in people with Kallmann syndrome (an inherited condition associated with congenital anosmia and other symptoms). Another study found that two brothers with anosmia had a mutation in the CNGA2 gene. However, in most familial cases of isolated congenital anosmia, the cause remains unknown.

Inheritance

Most cases of isolated congenital anosmia (not associated with additional symptoms) occur sporadically in people with no family history of the condition. Rarely, more than one family member may be affected. In these families, inheritance appears to be autosomal dominant with reduced penetrance. Autosomal dominant inheritance means that having a change (mutation) in only one copy of the responsible gene in each cell is enough to cause features of the condition. Reduced penetrance means that not all people who have or inherit the mutation will be affected. When a person with a mutation that causes an autosomal dominant condition has children (whether they are affected or not), each child has a 50% (1 in 2) chance to inherit that mutation. For conditions with reduced penetrance, it is not possible to predict whether a child who inherits the mutation will be affected. In most familial cases of isolated congenital anosmia, the genetic cause is unknown.

Congenital anosmia can also by associated with hereditary genetic disorders such as Kallmann syndrome and congenital insensitivity to pain. In these cases, it is inherited in the same manner as the associated condition. For example, Kallmann syndrome can be inherited in an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked recessive manner depending on the underlying genetic cause (it can be caused by mutations in several different genes). Congenital insensitivity to pain has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.

Signs and symptoms

Anosmia can have a number of harmful effects. People with sudden onset anosmia may find food less appetizing, though congenital anosmics rarely complain about this, and none report a loss in weight. Loss of smell can also be dangerous because it hinders the detection of gas leaks, fire, and spoiled food. The common view of anosmia as trivial can make it more difficult for a patient to receive the same types of medical aid as someone who has lost other senses, such as hearing or sight.

Many experience one sided loss of smell, often as a result of minor head trauma. This type of anosmia is normally only detected if both of the nostrils are tested separately. Using this method of testing each nostril separately will often show a reduced or even completely absent sense of smell in either one nostril or both, something which is often not revealed if both nostrils are simultaneously tested.

Losing an established and sentimental smell memory (e.g. the smell of grass, of the grandparents' attic, of a particular book, of loved ones, or of oneself) has been known to cause feelings of depression.

Diagnosis

Isolated congenital anosmia (not associated with other symptoms) is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that the diagnosis is made by ruling out all known conditions that may cause an absent sense of smell. When an affected person has no recollection of ever being able to smell, the following tests may be ordered to support a diagnosis of congenital anosmia:

• A thorough physical examination and medical history to look for other conditions that may interfere with sense of smell
• Smell tests, particularly those that determine the smallest amount of odor that someone can detect
• Brain Imaging (such as CT scan and MRI scan) to look for malformations in the portion of the brain that processes smell
• Nasal endoscopy to look for abnormalities of the nasal cavity which may interfere with sense of smell
• Olfactory nerve testing to evaluate disruptions in the pathway that carries information from the nose to the brain

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure or treatment for congenital anosmia.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Congenital anosmia

Congenital anosmia is a rare disease.

Congenital anosmia Resources
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