Neural Response Properties of the Dorsal Tena Tecta, an under-Explored Region of Primary Olfactory Cortex
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| Title: | Neural Response Properties of the Dorsal Tena Tecta, an under-Explored Region of Primary Olfactory Cortex |
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| Authors: | N/A |
| Committee Members: | Caton, Samuel (author); Dewan, Adam Kabir (professor directing dissertation); Dennis, Jonathan Hancock (university representative); Nee, Derek Evan (committee member); Vincis, Roberto (committee member); Wagner, Richard K. (committee member); Florida State University (degree granting institution); College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college); Department of Psychology (degree granting department) |
| Summary: | Primary olfactory cortex consists of all regions of the brain that receive direct input from the olfactory bulb. Previous research has demonstrated that different regions of olfactory cortex are capable of representing specific features of olfactory stimuli such as its identity, concentration level, intensity or other temporal features, processing this information in both serial and parallel to produce a conscious perception of odor. However, very little is known about how one area of olfactory cortex, the Dorsal Tenia Tecta (DTT), responds to odor stimuli. The goal of this project was to use a combination of calcium imaging, olfactometry, viral tracing, and behavioral assays to determine the connectivity and functional response properties of DTT neurons. Using a viral tracing approach, this study revealed that efferents from the DTT project mainly to areas of olfactory cortex in the olfactory peduncle (anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle), the striatum (dorsal and ventral striatum, pallidum, substantia innominata), and the nucleus of the diagonal band. A thorough examination of the odor response properties of DTT neuronal subtypes revealed that GABA- and glutamatergic neurons are capable of encoding both odor identity and concentration and demonstrate specific context-dependent responses. This research provides new insight into an under-studied region of olfactory cortex, and lays a foundation to further explore its role in olfactory perception. |
| Database: | OpenDissertations |
| Abstract: | Primary olfactory cortex consists of all regions of the brain that receive direct input from the olfactory bulb. Previous research has demonstrated that different regions of olfactory cortex are capable of representing specific features of olfactory stimuli such as its identity, concentration level, intensity or other temporal features, processing this information in both serial and parallel to produce a conscious perception of odor. However, very little is known about how one area of olfactory cortex, the Dorsal Tenia Tecta (DTT), responds to odor stimuli. The goal of this project was to use a combination of calcium imaging, olfactometry, viral tracing, and behavioral assays to determine the connectivity and functional response properties of DTT neurons. Using a viral tracing approach, this study revealed that efferents from the DTT project mainly to areas of olfactory cortex in the olfactory peduncle (anterior olfactory nucleus, piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle), the striatum (dorsal and ventral striatum, pallidum, substantia innominata), and the nucleus of the diagonal band. A thorough examination of the odor response properties of DTT neuronal subtypes revealed that GABA- and glutamatergic neurons are capable of encoding both odor identity and concentration and demonstrate specific context-dependent responses. This research provides new insight into an under-studied region of olfactory cortex, and lays a foundation to further explore its role in olfactory perception. |
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