The principles of perceived odor intensity coding across the olfactory hierarchy

Intensity coding is at the core of perception, allowing us to discriminate between the candle and the sun, the whisper and the shout.

Odors also exist across a vast intensity spectrum, from the barely perceptible fragrance of a light rain to the overwhelming blast of rotten meat.

Unlike the well-documented mechanisms in vision and audition, the encoding of odor intensity in the olfactory system remains largely unexplored due to technological limitations. Our project aims to elucidate the most basic principles underlying perceived odor intensity.

We will achieve this by studying the bottom-up and top-down mechanisms that shape perceived odor intensity by investigating the encoding and communication of odor signals across the major nodes of the olfactory system: the olfactory epithelium, olfactory bulb, and piriform cortex.

Utilizing novel techniques developed in our lab, which enables simultaneous recordings from these critical nodes, we will conduct a series of behavioral experiments.

Our objectives are threefold: to determine how odor intensity is coded within each node, how these perceptions are communicated across the system, and how cognitive processes and contextual information influence perceived intensity.

Our approach addresses the limitations of traditional human and animal studies and holds promise for advancing our fundamental understanding of olfaction. Critically, the findings can offer insights into the common principles shaping perception across all our senses.