The role of newborn neurons in the adult olfactory bulb

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The olfactory system is one of the oldest sensory modalities and is essential for the survival of many animal species. Olfaction provides vital information about food location and influences social and sexual behaviors. In mammals, the odors are perceived by the olfactory sensory neurons contained within olfactory epithelium. The sensory information is then transferred into the olfactory bulb. Interestingly, both olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb retain a remarkable capacity to renew their neuronal population throughout the life span of animal. The renewal of sensory neurons is likely to be explained by their unprotected position in the sensory epithelium, making them to be directly exposed to toxins, infectious agents or trauma. However, the functional role of newborn neurons in the olfactory bulb remains unclear. Our NSERC research program aims at investigating the role of these newborn neurons in the adult olfactory bulb. We propose the series of experiments to elucidate the functional role of newborn neurons in the olfactory bulb. By using morphological and electrophysiological recordings, we will test the hypothesis that neurons born in the adulthood bring to the neuronal circuitry functions that cannot be fulfilled by pre-existing population of interneurons. In addition, we will explore the possibility that sensory neurons turnover in the sensory epithelium control functional integration of newborn cells in the olfactory bulb. Overall these experiments will allow us to understand why and how the adult brain produces and incorporates new neurons into already existing, functioning circuits of the olfactory bulb.