Electrophysiological Representations of Odor Identity Study 2

To identify a neural representation of odor identity, it is necessary to dissociate molecular structure from perceptual identity/similarity. Whether the olfactory system employs a coding scheme in which the similarity between neural features is systematically related to perceptual similarity is unknown. Experiments for this aim will acquire perceptual responses while manipulating perceptual similarity. In Experiment 1A, we will examine features of neural responses during natural behavior of freely naming odors. In Experiment 1B, we will manipulate perceptual similarity with odor metamers and collect perceptual and neural data on each trial. Preliminary data suggest that the earliest, high-frequency components of the piriform response can optimally decode perceptual identity.