NASAL RESPONSES TO CHEMICAL STIMULATION.
Abstract
The properties of the nasal trigeminal and olfactory systems were explored in rat and man using electrophysiological, anatomical and behavioral techniques. Electrophysiologically, rat trigeminal sensitivity is greater than olfactory for pyridine and butyric acid but less for amyl acetate. A human anosmic subject could detect only hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, pyridine, formic acid, butyric acid, ethyl ether and ammonia from a range of representative odorants presented. An apparatus for determining odor sensitivity in rats is described. When eight rats (with proven olfactory powers) were tested for sensitivity to a ketone towards which a large proportion of the human population are anosmic, two failed to achieve scores significantly above chance. Single units in the olfactory bulb sensitive to amyl acetate were then identified. When the responsiveness of these units to the steroid as well as other compounds was examined no significant differences between these rats emerged. In 15 rats, the cross-adapting effect on sensitivity to cyclopentanone is larger than the cross adapting effect of cyclopentanone on meta-xylene. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0696138
Entities
People
- David G. Moulton
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania