Investigation of the neural basis for human olfactory perception and its relation to odor naming

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20694
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0704:Neuroscience, brain sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ibayashi Kenji 自治医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (90911892)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: Olfaction / Olfactory processing / Intracranial EEG / Electrophysiology

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neural basis of olfactory processing in human brain is not yet well understood. This research was conducted by leveraging the opportunity of intracranial recordings during seizure monitoring for intractable epilepsy subjects. We succeeded in manufacturing an fMRI compatible portable olfactory stimulator that allows us to deliver odor stimulus to subjects undergoing fMRI study and also intracranial electroencephalogram monitoring. By utilizing this system, we also were able to record odor processing related cortical activities from human olfactory cortices.

Free Research Field

認知神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、今後のヒト嗅覚機能研究において、時間分解能の高い頭蓋内脳波を用いた手法が発展するための土台となるものである。大脳において匂い情報がどのように処理されているか、今後研究がさらに発展することで、嗅覚障害の機能再建や、病態解明の一端を担う可能性が広がる可能性がある。