FBS Colloquia No.356Center for Information and Neural Networks

Visualizing olfactory processing in the brain using ultra-high-field MRI

The mechanisms of olfactory information processing in the brain remain largely unknown due to the difficulty of obtaining non-invasive in vivo data. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a powerful tool for visualizing brain activity. In particular, ultra-high-field (UHF) MRI has the advantages of high signal-to-noise ratio and excellent spatial resolution, but also presents challenges such as image distortion and signal loss. I have been advancing the study of the brain's olfactory information processing mechanisms by developing methods to minimize these issues and harness the benefits of high signal-to-noise ratio. In this colloquium, I will present the technical features of UHF MRI and the findings from research on olfactory function in both animals and humans obtained through this technique. I will also discuss how this imaging method significantly contributes to visualizing and understanding the processing and representation of olfactory information in the brain.