Frédéric Grouiller1, Alexandra Adam-Darqué2, Russia Ha-Vinh Leuchter2, Petra S Hüppi2, and François Lazeyras1
1Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland, 2Division of Development and Growth, Department of Pediatrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
The aim of this study is to
better characterize the habituation effect of sustained odorant stimulation and
to investigate if this effect is already present in newborns. Olfactory fMRI
was acquired in adults and newborns using a 20s block design. After modelling
habituation, activations in the
primary and secondary olfactory cortices were observed in adults and newborns.
Habituation effect to sustained odorant stimulation was strong in adults but unseen
in the newborns. This study shows that the olfactory cortex of newborns is
highly functional soon after birth and that the habituation effect is not
observed in newborns compared to adults.
