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An Objective and Reproducible Test of Olfactory Learning and Discrimination in Mice
Published on: March 22, 2018
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Sniff-synchronized, gradient-guided olfactory search by freely moving mice.
Teresa M Findley1, David G Wyrick1, Jennifer L Cramer2
1Department of Biology and Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, United States.
Elife
|May 4, 2021
Summary
Mice use strategic sniffing and nose movements to find odors, demonstrating a sophisticated olfactory search strategy. This behavior, synchronized with breathing, helps them navigate airborne scent gradients effectively.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
- Sensory Systems
Background:
- Olfactory search is crucial for survival, yet poorly understood in vertebrates.
- Mice actively sample their environment to find targets like food or mates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sensorimotor strategies mice use for olfactory search in airborne odor gradients.
- To understand how mice utilize spatial olfaction and sniff-synchronized movements.
Main Methods:
- Developed an olfactory search assay with freely moving mice navigating odor gradients.
- Utilized machine learning to analyze motion trajectories and identify movement motifs.
- Measured respiration and nose movement synchrony with millisecond precision.
Main Results:
- Mice successfully navigate odor gradients using concentration cues, without stereo olfaction.
- Sniffing and nose movements are precisely synchronized during olfactory search, indicating a strategic behavioral state.
- Identified distinct movement motifs (investigation and approach) linked to sniffing phases, suggesting a serial-sniff strategy.
Conclusions:
- Mouse olfactory search involves active, sniff-synchronized movements for efficient gradient sensing.
- These findings clarify sensorimotor strategies in mice and inform research into neural mechanisms of olfaction.
