Dopamine-controlled fan cells in the lateral entorhinal cortex are required for the formation of associative memories.
Study reveals how the drosophila brain subconsciously processes salient information, such as odors, that require interpretation while asleep.
A new machine-learning algorithm is able to teach itself to smell within a few minutes of training. As it learns, the system builds an artificial network that mimics the brain's olfactory system.
A majority of Parkinson's patients report a diminished sense of smell, which starts to occur a number of years before the onset of other symptoms. Researchers are exploring whether scent-processing neurons which connect the nose to the brain may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease.
Study reveals dopamine neurons that play a role in learning and memory also drive motivation.
Female mice exposed to PBDEs, a type of flame-retardant found on everyday household items, pass on the chemicals to their developing offspring. In female offspring, this can cause alterations in social memories and behaviors which are reminiscent of human compulsive behaviors associated with autism.
Hexadecanal, a molecule excreted by humans, found in abundance on the scalps of babies, sparks behavioral changes in adults who are exposed to it. In women, the molecule decreases connectivity in parts of the brain associated with social decision making, but increases connectivity in males.
Neurons in the primary olfactory cortex play a role in encoding spatial maps, a new study reports.
Inhibition of the OR5B21 olfactory receptor gene significantly decreased the metastasis of breast cancer cells to the brain, lungs, and bones, researchers report.
The mechanisms behind olfaction may be far simpler than previously believed, researchers speculate.
Infection with the SARS_CoV-2 virus causes dials down the action of olfactory receptors, resulting in smell loss associated with COVID-19.
A gene commonly associated with the sense of touch may also play an important role in the sense of smell, researchers report.
