Access

Insight

Nature 444, 316-321 (16 November 2006) | doi:10.1038/nature05405; Published online 15 November 2006

Review Article Smell images and the flavour system in the human brain

Gordon M. Shepherd1

Top

Flavour perception is one of the most complex of human behaviours. It involves almost all of the senses, particularly the sense of smell, which is involved through odour images generated in the olfactory pathway. In the human brain, the perceptual systems are closely linked to systems for learning, memory, emotion and language, so distributed neural mechanisms contribute to food preference and food cravings. Greater recognition of the role of the brain's flavour system and its connection with eating behaviour is needed for a deeper understanding of why people eat what they do, and to generate better recommendations about diet and nutrition.

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Neurobiology: Questions of taste and smell

Nature News and Views (06 Nov 1986)

Taking stock of new flavours

Nature News and Views (01 Jul 1999)

See all 6 matches for News And Views