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A noseful of objects

How are volatile molecules entering the nose converted to odor percepts in the brain? A fMRI study finds that distributed patterns of activity in the human posterior piriform cortex code the perceived category of odorants. This categorization of odors into objects is independent of their chemical structure.

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Figure 1: Object recognition in the PPC.

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Margot, C. A noseful of objects. Nat Neurosci 12, 813–814 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn0709-813

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