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The sense of smell has the ability to travel through time and space
.
It may be the fragrance of jasmine or the musty smell of seaweed
This connection between smell and location seems to be a deeply ingrained aspect of human cognition
.
But how are the two connected in the brain? A study published in the scientific journal Nature on December 22 offered a possible explanation
The neural connection between smell and space
"Smell molecules themselves do not carry spatial information
.
However, wild animals use odors for spatial navigation and memory, which enables them to find valuable resources such as food
The researchers focused on the primary olfactory cortex
.
Zachary Meinen, the senior author of the research report and the chief researcher of the Unknown Research Center in Champally Mode, Portugal, said: "The human olfactory system is unique among various senses
Neurons in the primary olfactory cortex create a map of smell space
.
Hippocampal neurons are known for their "location cell" function
.
This is because each cell becomes active at a specific location in the environment
"We know that the hippocampus system sends signals to the primary olfactory cortex," Poo said
.
"So we suspect that this brain area may not just recognize different smells
Test olfactory neurons
To test this idea, the researchers developed a custom puzzle for mice with a very good sense of smell
.
The mice collect odor samples at the four ends of a plus maze
While these animals were solving puzzles, the researchers monitored the activity of neurons in the primary olfactory cortex called the posterior piriform cortex
.
"Neurons communicate by sending out electrical impulses," Mainen explained
"The results exceeded our expectations
.
" We predict that some of the neurons here may be concerned about location to a certain extent
.
"However, by carefully studying the activity of neurons in the olfactory cortex when animals navigate the maze, we found that these neurons have learned to map the entire environment
.
"
Olfactory neuron coding space mapping
Researchers found that, similar to hippocampal positioning cells, a large number of neurons become active in specific locations in the maze
.
Interestingly, the map does not cover the entire environment equally
.
On the contrary, it is largely restricted to the place where behavior is important in the maze: where the animal experiences the smell and is rewarded
.
"It seems that important locations are learned through experience and coded on the map
.
It is worth noting that these cells in the olfactory system start to respond at specific locations when there is no smell, even when the mouse just goes around It's the same when walking around and not participating in the task
.
" Mainen added
.
The breath of space
Is this how we form memories that associate specific odors with specific locations? "We found that some neurons here respond to odors, others respond to locations, and some respond to both types of information to varying degrees Response
.
" All these different neurons are mixed together and may be connected to each other
.
Therefore, we can speculate that the activation of olfactory spatial connections may occur through activities in this network
.
"Poop suggested
.
"This research also opens a new window for understanding how the senses are used for navigation and memory," Mainen added
.
He concluded: "Humans rely on visual landmarks more than smells, but the principles of the places we remember and the destinations are likely to be very similar
.
"
references:
“Spatial maps in piriform cortex during olfactory navigation” by Cindy Poo, Gautam Agarwal, Niccolò Bonacchi and Zachary F.
Mainen, 22 December 2021, Nature .
DOI: 10.
1038/s41586-021-04242-3
