Electro-olfactogram Responses Before and After Aversive Olfactory Conditioning in Humans
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Published on: April 30, 2016
Annachiara Cavazzana1, Sophia C Poletti2, Cagdas Guducu3
1Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Gösta Ekman Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 9A 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether repetitive aversive odor conditioning induced changes at the level of the peripheral olfactory system in humans. A total of 51 volunteers participated. A pair of indistinguishable odor enantiomers [(+)-rose oxide and (-)-rose oxide] were used as stimuli. During the pre-conditioning, participants' ability to discriminate between the two odors was assessed using a three-alternative, forced-choice discrimination test. In addition, electro-olfactograms (EOG) from the olfactory epithelium were recorded. Participants underwent three conditioning sessions on consecutive days. The experimental group received an electrical stimulus to the forearm only following (+)-rose oxide presentation, whereas its enantiomer sibling was never paired with the aversive stimulus; the control group did not receive any electrical stimulation. During the post-conditioning session, their ability to discriminate the two enantiomers was assessed again using the discrimination test and EOG recordings were obtained similarly to the pre-conditioning session. Results showed significant differences in the peripheral electrophysiological responses between the conditioned and the unconditioned stimulus, demonstrating contextually induced changes at the level of the first neuron in the olfactory system.
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