Olfactory experience accelerates glomerular refinement in the mammalian olfactory bulb

Nat Neurosci. 2006 Apr;9(4):484-6. doi: 10.1038/nn1673. Epub 2006 Mar 19.

Abstract

Primary olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) impart both molecular and functional organization to the olfactory bulb. Because OSNs can be selectively activated by odorants in vivo, we sought to determine whether odorant experience alters the cellular dynamics of specific OSNs or their axonal projections. Using mice, we found that odorant stimulation associated with behavioral conditioning influenced OSN wiring by accelerating glomerular refinement independent of OSN number; furthermore, this wiring was strongly associated with olfactory learning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Conditioning, Operant / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Odorants*
  • Olfactory Bulb / cytology*
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons* / cytology
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons* / metabolism
  • Smell / physiology*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • caprylic aldehyde