Liam Lee, Academic FY2 at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, UK
The 3rd UK Smell and Taste Symposium 2024 held at the University of East Anglia continued the tradition of exploring the latest in olfaction, gustation and chemosensory research. This annual hybrid event has become an important platform for sharing knowledge and promoting collaboration in the field of smell and taste disorders.
Similar to last year, the program began with an insightful patient testimonial by Fifth Sense members with lived experiences. This was followed by foundational talks on olfaction, history-taking, examination methods, psychophysical testing, and organizing investigations, presented by experts like Simon Gane, Prof Matt Lechner, Prof Thomas Hummel and Prof Carl Philpott.
The afternoon featured workshops showcasing some of the main practical skills in managing smell and taste disorders. These covered various olfactory/gustatory testing methods and functional MRI with an olfactometer machine. The first day concluded with presentations by Prof Iordanis Konstantinidis on managing post-infectious and post-traumatic olfactory disorders, then Prof Hummel’s guide on setting up a smell and taste lab or clinic.
The next day started with cutting-edge sessions on functional MRI and olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) led by Prof Sami Saber, Caroline Huart, and Louis Renoult. Talks on managing neurological and idiopathic olfactory disorders by Miss Lisha McClelland and managing taste disorders by Basile Landis continued the discussion on managing the wide spectrum of smell and taste disorders. Practical patient support was discussed by Sarah Pearce, and the latest Position Paper was reviewed by Miss Katie Whitcroft.
Updates on research priorities and initiatives from the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (JLA PSP) and Fifth Sense were provided by Prof Philpott and collaborating researchers. Dr Eric Holbrook’s talk on future treatment directions offered insights into emerging therapies.
The event concluded with engaging panel discussions. Delegates both in person and online actively participated in discussing various topics, including referral pathways of smell and taste disorders to managing complex cases surrounding smell and taste.
In summary, the 3rd UK Smell and Taste Symposium 2024 was another successful meeting that offered an overview of the latest developments in smell and taste research and clinical practice. As the field continues to evolve with new discoveries, the symposium remains an important forum for sharing discoveries and advancing the understanding and treatment of smell and taste disorders.
