Olfactory perceptual learning requires adult neurogenesis.
Perceptual learning is required for olfactory function to adapt appropriately to changing odor environments. We here show that newborn neurons in the olfactory bulb are not only involved in, but necessary for, olfactory perceptual learning. First, the discrimination of perceptually similar odorants improves in mice after repeated exposure to the odorants. Second, this improved discrimination is accompanied by an elevated survival rate of newborn inhibitory neurons, preferentially involved in processing of the learned odor, within the olfactory bulb. Finally, blocking neurogenesis before and during the odorant exposure period prevents this learned improvement in discrimination. Olfactory perceptual learning is thus mediated by the reinforcement of functional inhibition in the olfactory bulb by adult neurogenesis.
Moreno
Mélissa M
MM
Université de Lyon, Lyon 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5020, Neurosciences Sensorielles, Comportement, Cognition, Lyon, F-69007, France.
Linster
Christiane
C
Escanilla
Olga
O
Sacquet
Joëlle
J
Didier
Anne
A
Mandairon
Nathalie
N
D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008959:Models, Neurological; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D009812:Odorants; D009830:Olfactory Bulb / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000502:physiology*
D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase; C402565:glutamate decarboxylase 1; C401141:glutamate decarboxylase 2