A specialized odor memory buffer in primary olfactory cortex.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The neural substrates of olfactory working memory are unknown. We addressed the questions of whether olfactory working memory involves a verbal representation of the odor, or a sensory image of the odor, or both, and the location of the neural substrates of these processes.Methodology/principal findings
We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure activity in the brains of subjects who were remembering either nameable or unnameable odorants. We found a double dissociation whereby remembering nameable odorants was reflected in sustained activity in prefrontal language areas, and remembering unnameable odorants was reflected in sustained activity in primary olfactory cortex.Conclusions/significance
These findings suggest a novel dedicated mechanism in primary olfactory cortex, where odor information is maintained in temporary storage to subserve ongoing tasks.
SUBMITTER: Zelano C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2654926 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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