Final Activity Report Summary - SENSORY MEMORY (Neuromodulation of sensory perception and memory: a combined behavioural, electrophysiological and computational approach)
To understand better the mechanisms involved in olfactory perception and knowing that the olfactory bulb receives massive centrifugal inputs we have characterised the role of neuromodulator systems, cholinergic and noradrenergic, on olfactory perceptual capacities. We have demonstrated that the cholinergic and noradrenergic systems are involved spontaneous olfactory discrimination.
I described a new form of olfactory plasticity induced by olfactory enrichment called perceptual learning. Also, I demonstrated some of the mechanisms underlying that learning. Olfactory perceptual learning is a relatively long-term increase in perceptual acuity and is critical for normal olfactory discrimination and so for animal's behaviour.