Future Directions for Chemosensory Connectomes: Best Practices and Specific Challenges

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Systems
• Chemosensation

Background:

• Ecological chemosensory stimuli engage multiple sensory systems and involve hierarchical brain processing.
• Chemosensory neuroimaging has historically focused on isolated brain regions, overlooking network interactions.
• Connectivity methods, successful in other sensory modalities, are underutilized in chemical senses research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current state of chemosensory connectomics.
• To identify challenges specific to neuroimaging studies of chemical senses.
• To recommend best practices for advancing the field of chemosensory connectomics.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent work in chemosensory connectomics.
• Summary of various connectomics techniques.
• Analysis of challenges in chemosensory connectome neuroimaging.
• Review of best practices from general connectomics and neuroimaging.

Main Results:

• Established connectivity techniques have not been rigorously applied to chemosensory neuroimaging.
• Network insights in chemical senses processing remain largely overlooked.
• Specific challenges hinder rigorous application of connectomics in chemosensory research.

Conclusions:

• Optimized study designs are crucial for improving chemosensory connectomics.
• Standardized reporting guidelines, brain parcellations, and consortium research are recommended.
• Data sharing initiatives are essential for advancing network insights in chemical senses.