Removing Cortical Feedback Blurs the Response of Cells in the Olfactory Bulb (IMAGE)
Caption
Two-tenths of a millimeter beneath the surface of the mouse olfactory bulb, the average "resting" response of output neurons called mitral cells is shown via the fluorescent microscopy image at far left. When a specific odor (gamma-terpinine) is presented to the awake mouse, the change from resting state -- indicated by increased or decreased brightness - is shown in the middle panel. Many are dimmer; only a few are brighter, indicating increased response. After injection of a drug that inactivates cortical feedback to the mitral cells, many more of the group show heightened activity. As captured in the bar graphs below, the responses of three numbered mitral cells tend to overlap and look much more alike in the absence of cortical feedback (right side) than when feedback is present (left side). This is evidence, according to CSHL scientists, suggesting that feedback is important in enabling an animal to discriminate among odors.
Credit
Albeanu Lab, CSHL
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