Study reveals dopamine neurons that play a role in learning and memory also drive motivation.
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.
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.
Study reveals how the drosophila brain subconsciously processes salient information, such as odors, that require interpretation while asleep.
Dopamine-controlled fan cells in the lateral entorhinal cortex are required for the formation of associative memories.
The olfactory system works in combination with the brain's reward and aversion systems in both learning and memory formation.
The habenula relays external information, such as sight and smell, along with internal states associated with emotion and learning to brain regions that govern adaptive behaviors.
Women with postpartum depression report normal olfactory sensitivity, while those who are genetically predisposed to major depressive disorder have decreased olfactory sensitivity.
Following injury or damage, insulin plays a key role in the maturation and regeneration of immature olfactory sensory neurons.
People with a poor sense of smell are 50% more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia than those with a good sense of smell.
A study of hungry mice sheds new light on the neurobiology of olfaction and food attraction. Researchers identified a pathway that promotes attraction to food odors over other olfactory cues.
Olfactory imprinting in infant mice has a direct impact on their social behaviors as adults.
