Problems in the Diagnosis of Dysfunctions of the Olfactory Analyzer in Laboratory Animals Based on Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study Methods

Olfactory impairment (reduced acuity, impaired identification of odors) reduces patients’ quality of life and can be a symptom of a wide range of physical pathologies, especially neurodegenerative processes in the brain. Quantitative measurement of olfactory acuity is required for the diagnosis of olfactory dysfunctions and monitoring changes in olfactory function after treatment or surgery. The problem of finding optimal methods for analyzing olfactory thresholds in animal models of human diseases accompanied by anosmia and comparing them is particularly relevant at the moment. This is required for selecting valid animal models for the purpose of developing new drugs and methods of therapy for a wide range of pathologies. This review analyzes publications addressing diseases accompanied by anosmia or hyposmia, their animal models, and methods for assessing olfactory function. The analysis includes models for COVID-19 coronavirus infection, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes type 1 and 2, Kallmann syndrome, and Bardet–Biedl syndrome, all of which involve olfactory function disorders and/or defects in the olfactory system. The lack of data on measurement of olfactory thresholds in model animals is noted.