Neuroscientists discover new cell type that may help brain maintain memories of smells
Neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have discovered a new cell type in the part of the brain that processes our sense of smell. This new cell type, the Blanes cell, is a member of a group of previously unstudied brain cells described by the Spanish neuroanatomist Blanes (pronounced blon ?es) in the late 1800s. Blanes cells have unusual properties which may help...Researchers show how brain decodes complex smells
Duke University Medical Center researchers have discovered how the brain creates a scent symphony from signals sent by the nose. In studies in mice, the researchers found that nerve cells in the brain's olfactory bulb -- the first stop for information from the nose -- do not perceive complex scent mixtures as single objects, such as the fragrance of a blooming rose. Instead, these nerve ce...New research shows sharks use their noses and bodies to locate smells
Sharks are known to have a keen sense of smell, which in many species is critical for finding food. However, according to new research from Boston University marine biologists, sharks can not use just their noses to locate prey; they also need their skin – specifically a location called the lateral line. The lateral line is an organ used by all fish to detect, with exquisite sensitivity, movem...Researchers Discover How We Differentiate Smells
You don’t need to sign up for pricey wine appreciation classes to parse the subtle difference between the black cherry bouquet of a pinot noir and the black currant// scent of a cabernet sauvignon. Just pour yourself a couple glasses and sniff. Your brain will quickly help you become a modest oenophile. It’s up to you if you want to drink the lesson plan. A new study by Northwestern Un...Inability to Recognize Familiar Smells Could Signal Alzheimers
People who have difficulty recognizing familiar smells could be experiencing an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published Monday. Scientists already know that the first lesions of the degenerative brain disease tend to show up in an area of the brain that is home to olfactory senses. Doctors at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago test...