The aim of this research project is to better understand the reciprocal influence of visual and olfactory systems on cerebral activity evoked by odors and visual stimuli. Given the importance of olfacto-visual learning in expert situations, the degree of expertise in olfaction will also be considered. In addition, the investigators will try to better understand the differences between expert and non-expert populations in olfaction through different levels of approach: sensory, genetic and cerebral. To achieve this, the investigators will use psychophysical tests, genetic analyzes and a non-invasive technique, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the brain activity of human subjects - novices or experts in olfaction - in response to different visual and olfactory stimuli.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
120
Several different odors will be diffused by an olfactometer under the participants' nostrils, though a controlled airflow, and synchronously with the participants' respiration. fMRI designs require repeated stimulus presentation. Odors will also be presented (in flasks or in odor pens) outside the scanner.
Several different pictures will be displayed in front of the participants' face, though a through a mirror system in the scanner, or on a computer screen outside the scanner.
Infirmerie Protestante
Caluire-et-Cuire, France
RECRUITINGBrain activity
fMRI 3T scanner in CERMEP imaging center (Bron - see web link at the end of the document), allowing anatomical measures, connectivity between olfactory and other regions (DTI), activation pattern in olfactory and visual areas.
Time frame: During the 2-hour testing session (one session per participant)
Genotyping
Genotyping from saliva samples by AMIS laboratory or a genotyping platform in Toulouse or Evry (see web links at the end of the document)
Time frame: Sampling during the 2-hour testing session (one session per participant), analyses within 6 years after sampling
Olfactory abilities
Threshold detection, discrimination between odorants and odor identification, measured with standardized olfactory tests
Time frame: During the 2-hour testing session (one session per participant)
Perception
Assesment of the perceptual profile of the stimulus on visual analogue scale (verbal report of how the olfactory/visual stimulus is perceived).
Time frame: During the 2-hour testing session (one session per participant)
Response times
Response time to the olfactory/visual stimulus in millisecond
Time frame: During the 2-hour testing session (one session per participant)
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