A method for functional magnetic resonance imaging of olfaction.
A method for generating olfactory stimuli for humans within a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experimental design is described. The system incorporates a nasal-mask in which the change from odorant to no-odorant conditions occurs in less than 500 ms and is not accompanied by visual, auditory, tactile, or thermal cues. The mask provides an ordorant-free environment following prolonged ordorant presence. Specific imaging parameters that are conducive to the study of the human olfactory system are described. In a pilot study performed using these methods, the specific patterns of activation observed converged with published experimental and clinical findings.
Sobel
N
N
Department of Neuroscience, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA. nsobel@leland/stanford.edu
Prabhakaran
V
V
Desmond
J E
JE
Glover
G H
GH
Sullivan
E V
EV
Gabrieli
J D
JD
D001547:Benzaldehydes; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003463:Cues; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008397:Masks; D009666:Nose / Q000502:physiology*; D009812:Odorants; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011422:Propionates; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D014110:Touch
D001547:Benzaldehydes; D011422:Propionates; C100058:vanillin; C029658:propionic acid