Intrinsic Optical Imaging Revealed Precise Spatial Olfactory Information for Neural Signal Recording

Abstract

In rodent's olfactory bulb, different odors evoke distinct glomeruli patterns to form a specific ‘Odor Map'. The optical imaging has the ability to visualize the functional responses in precise spatial and temporal resolution, which provides an opportunity to decipher the functional architecture of the patterns in the olfactory bulb. Here we adapted intrinsic signal imaging to visualize the odor response in the olfactory bulb. The imaging signals displayed clear odor-evoked pattern with stability over repeated stimulation. The imaging results also revealed a more focal response in comparison with electrophysiological activity. These characteristics suggest the possibility to use the optical imaging signals as the input of a brain-machine interface.