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Related Concept Videos

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
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Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
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Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or...
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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation
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Basal forebrain dynamics during nonassociative and associative olfactory learning.

Sasha Devore1, Nathaniel Pender-Morris1, Owen Dean1

  • 1Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; and.

Journal of Neurophysiology
|November 13, 2015
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Neurons in the basal forebrain

Keywords:
GABAacetylcholinebasal forebrainelectrophysiologyneuromodulationolfaction

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory system research
  • Basal forebrain function

Background:

  • Cholinergic and GABAergic projections from the horizontal diagonal band (HDB) and medial preoptic area (MCPO) modulate olfactory processing.
  • Previous studies used pharmacological and lesion methods, limiting understanding of neural response dynamics.
  • The real-time activity of HDB/MCPO neurons during olfactory behaviors remained largely unexamined.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the response dynamics of HDB/MCPO neurons during olfactory behaviors.
  • To understand how these neurons contribute to odor discrimination and learning.
  • To explore the temporal influence of HDB/MCPO projections on olfactory processing.

Main Methods:

  • Recording neural activity in HDB/MCPO neurons during spontaneous odor investigation.
  • Examining neural responses during odor-reward association learning tasks.
  • Analyzing response heterogeneity and temporal characteristics of individual neurons.

Main Results:

  • A significant portion of HDB/MCPO neurons exhibited task-related modulation.
  • Neurons displayed rapid, transient responses during odor investigation bouts.
  • Slow, long-lasting modulation of response rates was observed, varying with behavioral demands.
  • Baseline firing rates differed across distinct phases of odor-reward learning.

Conclusions:

  • HDB/MCPO neurons exhibit diverse response dynamics, influencing olfactory processing on multiple timescales.
  • These neurons are capable of rapid modulation of olfactory network activity.
  • Findings suggest a crucial role for HDB/MCPO projections in real-time odor processing and learning.