Olfactory Categorization Is Shaped by a Transmodal Cortical Network for Evaluating Perceptual Predictions

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Sensory Perception
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Prediction and evaluation are key to sensory perception.
• Differences in cortical processing between senses remain largely unexplored.
• Olfaction's reliance on non-olfactory predictive cues is hypothesized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cross-sensory differences in prediction error processing.
• To test if olfaction is uniquely dependent on non-olfactory predictive cues.
• To identify distinct cortical substrates involved in olfactory prediction.

Main Methods:

• Developed a novel paradigm comparing prediction error processing across olfaction and vision.
• Conducted behavioral experiments (n=113) measuring response times to olfactory and visual targets based on verbal cues.
• Utilized functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, n=30) to examine brain activity during prediction error detection.

Main Results:

• Olfactory targets showed greater dependency on predictive verbal cues compared to visual targets.
• The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed increased activation for incongruent olfactory targets, indicating olfactory prediction error processing.
• Both primary olfactory and visual cortices were activated for incongruent olfactory targets, suggesting cross-sensory resource utilization for olfactory prediction errors.

Conclusions:

• Olfaction exhibits a strong dependence on predictive, non-olfactory cues for processing.
• Odors are evaluated within the context of predictions by a transmodal cortical network.
• Different senses utilize predictive cues distinctively in rapid decision-making processes.