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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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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.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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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.
The olfactory...
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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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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Association Areas of the Cortex01:21

Association Areas of the Cortex

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Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
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Lobes of the Cerebrum01:22

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The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
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Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex01:24

Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex

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The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
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A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation
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LRP4 is required for the olfactory association task in the piriform cortex.

Min Yan1,2, Mingtao Xiong1, Yongqiang Wu1

  • 1Laboratory of Synaptic Development and Plasticity, Institute of Life Science and School of Life Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China.

Cell & Bioscience
|May 7, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) in the piriform cortex is vital for synaptic plasticity and olfactory function. Its absence impairs these functions, affecting behaviors like food seeking.

Keywords:
Golgi stainingLRP4Olfactory functionPiriform cortexSpine density

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) is crucial for central nervous system functions.
  • LRP4 influences synaptic plasticity, excitatory transmission, fear regulation, and long-term potentiation (LTP).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of LRP4, specifically its extracellular domain (ECD), in the piriform cortex.
  • To determine the impact of LRP4 on synaptic plasticity and olfactory function.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Lrp4ECD/ECD mice lacking the transmembrane and intracellular domains of LRP4.
  • Employed Lrp4 conditional knockout (cKO) mice in the piriform cortex.
  • Assessed body and brain weights.
  • Analyzed piriform cortical neuron spine density.
  • Measured miniature (mEPSC) and spontaneous (sEPSC) excitatory postsynaptic currents.
  • Conducted a buried food-seeking test.

Main Results:

  • Lrp4 was highly expressed in layer II of the piriform cortex.
  • Lrp4ECD/ECD mice showed decreased body and brain weights.
  • Piriform cortical neurons in Lrp4ECD/ECD mice exhibited increased spine density.
  • Enhanced frequency of mEPSC and sEPSC was observed in Lrp4ECD/ECD mice.
  • Both Lrp4ECD/ECD and Lrp4 cKO mice displayed prolonged food-finding times in the buried food-seeking test.

Conclusions:

  • The full-length LRP4 in the piriform cortex is essential for maintaining synaptic plasticity.
  • LRP4 integrity in the piriform cortex is necessary for normal olfactory function.
  • These findings highlight LRP4's critical role in olfactory processing and related behaviors.