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Recording Temperature-induced Neuronal Activity through Monitoring Calcium Changes in the Olfactory Bulb of Xenopus laevis
Published on: June 3, 2016
Temporal dynamics and latency patterns of receptor neuron input to the olfactory bulb
Hartwig Spors1, Matt Wachowiak, Lawrence B Cohen
1WIN Group of Olfactory Dynamics, Max-Planck-Institut für Medizinische Forschung, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. spors@mpimf-heidelberg.mpg.de
Summary
Olfactory bulb (OB) sensory input maps are not static but dynamic, changing with each sniff. These temporal dynamics in glomerular odorant responses may be crucial for how the brain processes smell.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Olfactory System Research
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- Odorants are initially processed in the olfactory bulb (OB) through distributed neural activity patterns.
- While downstream neurons show temporally structured responses, sensory inputs to glomeruli are often viewed as static maps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal dynamics of primary olfactory sensory input to the olfactory bulb.
- To determine if olfactory glomerular maps exhibit dynamic properties at the initial input stage.
Main Methods:
- Imaging of olfactory receptor neuron activity in the olfactory nerve terminals using calcium-sensitive dyes in anesthetized mice.
- Analysis of temporal dynamics, including spatial patterns, amplitude, latency, rise time, and sniff modulation of glomerular responses.
Main Results:
- Diverse, odorant- and glomerulus-dependent temporal dynamics were observed at the initial sensory input stage.
- Spatial patterns of receptor input changed dynamically within and between respiration cycles.
- Odorant responses varied in latency, amplitude, and sniff modulation, with dynamics showing consistency across individuals.
Conclusions:
- Glomerular maps of primary sensory input to the olfactory bulb are temporally dynamic, not static.
- These temporal dynamics likely play a significant role in odorant information representation and processing within the central olfactory system.
