Response selectivity of neocortical neurons to specific odors in the rabbit.
Odor responses of neocortical neurons in rabbits under light pentobarbital anesthesia were studied in a restricted area in the lateral half of the prefrontal cortex close to the frontal pole. A preevent cumulative sum chart provided a visual display of the change in unit discharge rate following each odor stimulation, and critical levels on each chart provided a visual display of statistical significance. The neocortical neurons studied were activated predominantly by biologically significant odors, such as feces, urine, and dry food. Of those same neurons, 90% failed to respond to pure-chemical odors, and no neurons were found that responded to pure-chemical odors alone. Some neurons responded exclusively to one of the animal-product odors. Some odor-sensitive neurons were affected by electrical stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus. Responses to the animal-product odors were observed after ablation of the trigeminal and/or vomeronasal inputs. The responses to these pheromone-like substances are discussed in the context of a central role for odor-sensitive neocortical neurons in cognitive aspects of discrimination of specific odor patterns in the mammals.
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology
D010424:Pentobarbital