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olfactory system

Featured Neuroscience

·October 21, 2013·3 min read

Neuron ‘Claws’ in the Brain Enable Flies to Distinguish One Scent from Another

Using fruit flies, researchers discover how the brain integrates multiple signals to identify unique smells.

This is a diagram of the human olfactory system

Featured Neuroscience

·September 24, 2013·3 min read

A Shot of Anxiety and the World Stinks

A new neuroimaging study reveals how anxiety or stress can link areas of the brain for emotion and olfactory processing, making neutral odors smell malodorous.

The image shows a woman smelling a flower.

Featured Neurology

·May 6, 2013·3 min read

Scientists Identify Critical Link In Mammalian Odor Detection

Researchers have identified the Ggamma13 protein is critical for the ability for mammals to detect odors. "Knockout" mice which lacked this protein were functionally anosmic, unable to smell. The study could provide insight into possible underlying causes of certain smell disorders in humans.

Featured Psychology

·September 20, 2012·2 min read

‘Psychopaths’ Have An Impaired Sense of Smell

People with psychopathic tendencies have an impaired sense of smell, which points to inefficient processing in the front part of the brain (orbitofrontal cortex) according to a new study.