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| author | Kyla Nicole Moutenot |
| title | Mapping Odor Representation in the Olfactory Tubercle and Superficial Amygdaloid Nuclei |
| abstract |
The representation of odor stimuli across olfactory structures is poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to characterize features of odor processing in
two primary olfactory regions - olfactory tubercle and amygdala - by describing odor responsivity, tuning breadth, and correlated tuning of adjacent neurons. This
study compiled and analyzed data collected by previous students in the Cousens laboratory at Drew University consisting of electrophysiological recordings of neuronal
response profiles to different sets of monomolecular odorants and pheromones. Across 31 recording sessions in 16 rat subjects, 35 tubercle neurons and 33 amygdala
neurons were analyzed. Odor-responsive neurons were isolated in tubercle and amygdala. Both regions responded similarly to each other when presented with different
monomolecular odors, and different monomolecular odors produced different responses in both regions. There were no significant differences in tubercle neuron
responses to monomolecular odors compared to pheromones. Pheromones were not presented to amygdala neurons. Tubercle and amygdala neurons both demonstrated broad
tuning breadths in response to monomolecular odorants. In response to the least-preferred odors, tubercle neurons were more selective and responded less than
amygdala neurons. Only four tubercle cell pairs demonstrated significant correlated tuning; no amygdala cell pairs were significant. Four additional tubercle
cell pairs and one amygdala cell pair were considered correlated with visual evaluation of histograms. These results may be explained by innervation from olfactory
bulb projections and the procedures used to collect data. Together, these results describe response profiles of neurons in tubercle and amygdala and suggest both
regions play an important role in olfactory processing. This ultimately sets the stage for further analysis of manipulation of olfactory system networks in brain
regions that are continually being explored.
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| school | The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University |
| degree | B.A. (2018) |
| advisor | Graham Cousens |
| committee | Christopher Medvecky
Joanna Miller |
| full text | KNMoutenot.pdf |
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