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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
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A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function

Published on: July 30, 2017

The study of postnatal and later development of the taste and olfactory systems using the human brain mapping

Paloma Rohlfs Domínguez1

  • 1University of Granada, Experimental Psychology and Physiology of Behavior, Granada, Spain. palomaroh@ugr.es

Brain Research Bulletin
|December 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Newborns possess taste and smell abilities that mature postnatally, with sensitive developmental periods influencing brain activity. Further research is needed to map these brain changes and understand their link to sensory development.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Sensory Systems

Background:

  • Gustatory (taste) and olfactory (smell) functions are present at birth but develop significantly postnatally.
  • Early postnatal sensitive periods are critical for the development of sensory systems, including taste and smell.
  • Sensory system development parallels central nervous system maturation, involving plastic changes that enhance neural communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review neuroimaging studies from the past decade on age-related changes in brain activation patterns for gustatory and olfactory processing.
  • To determine how developmental plasticity in taste and olfactory systems is reflected in neuroimaging signals.
  • To identify sensitive periods in gustatory and olfactory development through a systematic review of brain imaging research in developing populations.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of published neuroimaging studies within the last 10 years.
  • Focus on research investigating brain activation patterns in response to gustatory and olfactory stimuli in developing individuals.
  • Analysis of age-related changes and developmental plasticity in neural signals.

Main Results:

  • Neuroimaging techniques reveal changes in brain activation patterns related to gustatory and olfactory processing during development.
  • Developmental plasticity within these sensory systems is observable through alterations in imaging signals.
  • The review highlights a need for more research to precisely map developmental changes and sensitive periods.

Conclusions:

  • Further research, particularly developmental brain mapping in newborns, children, and adolescents, is crucial.
  • Understanding the association between developmental plasticity and neuroimaging signals is essential for a comprehensive view of sensory development.
  • Longitudinal study designs are recommended for future research to track developmental trajectories effectively.

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