Neurophysiology of Olfaction
Lectures: 6 h
Main Topics:
- Anatomo-functional basis of neuronal units: the neuron, structure and properties. The resting potential: electrical and concentration gradients, pumps and ion channels.The action potential. The conduction of the action potential. Synaptic transmission.
- The physiology of the olfactory system: physiological organization of mechanisms for odor transduction. Proposed theories of olfactory coding.
- Psychophysical studies of the olfactory system: basis of psychophysical measurements. Weber’s law, Weber-Fechner logarithmic law and Stevens power law. Odor detection, discrimination and identification. Taste: difference between taste and flavor. Interactions between taste and smell. Retronasal sensations. Adaptation and habituation.
- Olfactory hedonism. Interactions between olfactory modules and the cerebral mechanisms of memory and emotion.
Lecturer:
Prof. Roberto Arrighi
Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology, and Child Health
University of Florence, Italy
email: roberto.arrighi (at) unifi.it
phone: + 39 055 2755058