Chemosensory neuroanatomy and physiology

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science
• Chemosensation

Background:

• Three distinct nasal/oral sensory systems (smell, taste, irritation) exist.
• These systems are anatomically and physiologically separate.
• Receptors are located in adjacent oral and nasal cavities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complex interactions between the three chemosensory systems.
• To highlight the challenges in diagnosing chemosensory dysfunctions.

Main Methods:

• Review of anatomical and physiological data on nasal/oral sensory systems.
• Analysis of neural pathways and brain representations.

Main Results:

• All three systems can be stimulated by food chemicals (flavors).
• Sensory systems have distinct, yet interacting, cerebral cortical and ventral forebrain representations.
• Interactions involve areas related to affect and incentive.

Conclusions:

• The intricate interplay between smell, taste, and irritation complicates diagnosis.
• Patients struggle to pinpoint the malfunctioning chemosensory system due to this complexity.