Odor Coding in the Dorsal Tenia Tecta

PROJECT SUMMARY The formation of a percept results from the processing of sensory information across a network of brain regions, each contributing uniquely to perception. Thus, to understand the mechanisms by which the brain encodes sensory information, we must study each component of the network. Olfactory perception is dependent upon a distributed network of processing centers, which are connected in serial and parallel manners. Odor information is organized into receptor-specific channels mapped onto the olfactory bulb. These singular streams of information are broadly projected by mitral/ tufted cells to multiple cortical structures. This direct, parallel input is thought to allow each region to maintain a representation of the stimulus and play a unique role in odor perception. While putative functions have been ascribed to several olfactory cortical regions, the importance of the dorsal tenia tecta for olfactory perception remains a mystery. Here, we propose to examine the connectivity, odor coding, and function of this region. Specific Aim 1 will examine the afferent and efferent connections of the dorsal tenia tecta. Specific Aim 2 will characterize the odor tuning properties of dorsal tenia tecta neurons. Specific Aim 3 will assess the contribution of this region for olfactory perception. Achieving these aims will provide new insight into how odorant features are encoded and mapped within the brain and elucidate the function of this enigmatic brain region for olfactory perception.