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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

44.2K
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

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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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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Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex01:14

Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex

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The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor...
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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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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Imaging Odor-Evoked Activities in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb using Optical Reflectance and Autofluorescence Signals
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Imaging Odor-Evoked Activities in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb using Optical Reflectance and Autofluorescence Signals

Published on: October 31, 2011

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Spatial maps in piriform cortex during olfactory navigation.

Cindy Poo1, Gautam Agarwal2, Niccolò Bonacchi1

  • 1Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|October 10, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The piriform cortex, traditionally linked to smell, also creates spatial maps. This olfactory-place map helps animals navigate environments using scent cues.

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Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Imaging Odor-Evoked Activities in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb using Optical Reflectance and Autofluorescence Signals
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A Lateralized Odor Learning Model in Neonatal Rats for Dissecting Neural Circuitry Underpinning Memory Formation
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Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation
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Using MazeSuite and Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Study Learning in Spatial Navigation

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory system
  • Spatial cognition

Background:

  • The primary olfactory cortex (piriform cortex) is traditionally understood to process odor identity.
  • Animal behaviors like foraging and navigation heavily rely on olfactory cues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if the piriform cortex has functions beyond odor identification.
  • To explore the role of the piriform cortex in spatial mapping and navigation.

Main Methods:

  • Neural ensemble recordings were performed in freely moving rats.
  • Rats completed a novel odor-cued spatial choice task.
  • Analysis focused on piriform cortex neuron activity and its relation to spatial location and odor cues.

Main Results:

  • Posterior piriform cortex neurons were found to contain robust spatial maps of the environment.
  • These spatial maps remained stable across different behavioral contexts, irrespective of olfactory input or reward.
  • Piriform neuron spatial map accuracy correlated with their functional coupling to the hippocampal theta rhythm.
  • Ensembles of piriform neurons simultaneously encoded both odor identity and spatial location, creating an 'olfactory-place map'.

Conclusions:

  • The piriform cortex plays a significant, previously unrecognized role in spatial cognition.
  • This brain region is well-suited for forming odor-place associations.
  • The piriform cortex likely guides olfactory-cued spatial navigation.