Topic: anterior olfactory nucleus

Why does the olfactory bulb contain two projection neuron populations? Called mitral and tufted cells (MCs and TCs), both sample receptor input at glomeruli but lie in different bulb layers, project to different regions of piriform cortex and form parallel circuits wherein TCs interact mainly with the anterior olfactory nucleus (AON), and MCs with piriform cortex (PC) proper. Experiments have revealed that (1) MCs are primarily driven by TCs, perhaps why (2) MC responses come later in the sniff cycle than TCs; (3) MCs receive excitatory cortical feedback from the AON; and (4) MC responses are

Adaptive behavior requires both innate and learned behaviours, but little is known about the interactions of the circuitry underlying these behaviours, or the implications of this on the evolution of behaviour. Using the olfactory response to trimethylamine (TMA) in the Mus clade as a cross-species model, we explored changes in the circuitry of innate behaviour through plasticity and evolution. TMA is a volatile odour produced during putrefaction and is aversive to most mammals. However, Mus musculus evolved to produce TMA as a social signal and are attracted to it. We demonstrate a concentrat