Abstract #1140

Xu F, Shafer J, Shepherd G, Hyder F, Rothman D

Olfactory sensitivity and perceptual odor-quality are affected by feeding. The spatial activity pattern in the olfactory bulb codes the peripheral olfactory information and serves as the basis for various olfactory functions. We applied fMRI (9.4T) at glomerular resolution to reveal the activity patterns in the bulb as a function of blood glucose levels, which is associated with feeding. The pattern intensity, not topography, of the same stimuli was modified by feeding conditions. The results provide novel information about how odor patterns and perception are related to feeding conditions thus to assess the role of olfaction in the obesity epidemic.