Modulation of sensory processing in the rodent olfactory system

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Sensory inputs to the olfactory system are initially processed by neural circuits in the olfactory bulb. Already this earliest stage of odor information processing displays fascinating signal modulation options since it receives rich centrifugal innervation from diverse neuromodulatory brain centers. In accordance, the output of the olfactory bulb shows a remarkable modulation of sensory responses in awake animals. However, there are currently no reports available investigating the modulation of OB activity as a function of behavioral state (e.g. attention or active sniffing). Understanding how the earliest stage of sensory information processing is modulated in a context dependent fashion is critical to fully understanding olfactory system function. Therefore my two year research-stay in the laboratory of Prof. Matt Wachowiak (Boston University, Boston, United States) aims at investigating the modulation of sensory information processing in the rodent olfactory system. The main questions of this project are:- How does active sensing modulate olfactory sensory input?- What are the underlying neural systems giving rise to modulatory inputs?- When/under which circumstances are these modulatory inputs activated?This research will provide first data on the recruitment of neural systems that modulate sensory information processing in the olfactory system in a state- and context-dependent manner.