Intranasal trigeminal function in children

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate trigeminal function in children compared with that of adults. Trigeminal sensitivity was assessed using a lateralization task where participants were requested to identify the side of the nose to which an odorous stimulus was presented. The ability to localize the sensation is largely based on trigeminal function. A total of 344 people participated (191 females, 153 males; mean age 12 y [SD 7 y 9 mo], range 5-54 y). Eucalyptol (EUC) was administered as a mixed olfactory-trigeminal stimulant; phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) was used as a control stimulant with minimal trigeminal impact. In addition, sensitivity to vibration was assessed as a somatosensory control. With regard to all age groups, PEA could not be localized whereas this was easily possible for EUC. However, the ability to localize EUC increased with age, which was not the case for PEA. No sex-related difference was found for odour localization. These results provide data for normal intranasal trigeminal function in children. They also indicate that trigeminal sensitivity is already well-developed in children.