title: From molecule to mind: an integrative perspective on odor intensity.
abstract: A fundamental problem in systems neuroscience is mapping the physical properties of a stimulus to perceptual characteristics. In vision, wavelength translates into color; in audition, frequency translates into pitch. Although odorant concentration is a key feature of olfactory stimuli, we do not know how concentration is translated into perceived intensity by the olfactory system. A variety of neural responses at several levels of processing have been reported to vary with odorant concentration, suggesting specific coding models. However, it remains unclear which, if any, of these phenomena underlie the perception of odor intensity. Here, we provide an overview of current models at different stages of olfactory processing, and identify promising avenues for future research.
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: jmainland@monell.org.
authors.forename: Joel D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Mainland
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Johan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Lundström
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reisert
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Graeme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009812:Odorants; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012903:Smell / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*