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A novel odor stimulation system in freely moving,behaving animals |
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| Authors: | Xinsong GUO Shan LI Xuejie YU Tingting WU Penglai LIU Yufeng SHAO Anan LI |
| Institution: | 1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bio-information, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China Xinsong Guo, Shan Li, and Xuejie Yu contributed equally to this work.;2. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bio-information, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China Xinsong Guo, Shan Li, and Xuejie Yu contributed equally to this work.;3. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bio-information, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China Artificial Auditory Laboratory of Jiangsu Province, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China;4. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Brain Disease and Bio-information, Research Center for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China;5. Departments of Neuroscience, Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China |
| Abstract: | Precise and reliable presentation of odorants to animals is crucial for olfactory studies. Although odor stimulation systems in anesthetized or awake, head-fixed animals are well established, temporally precise odor presentation in awake, freely moving animals remains a challenge. Here, we describe a new odor stimulation system which presents odors directly to the nostrils of freely moving mice. The system comprises 3 modules: an odor-delivery module, an odor-generation module, and a control module. The new system is precise and temporally reliable, and odor stimulation can be triggered by specific sniffing phases or other events. Moreover, the system can be combined with neural recordings, such as electrophysiology, and olfactory behavioral tests to investigate how neurons in the brain represent odor information during individual olfactory behaviors. This innovative odor stimulation system may replace traditional stimulation systems: It will enable precise odor presentation in a wide range of olfactory studies in freely moving animals. |
| Keywords: | animal behavior electrophysiology freely moving odor stimulation system olfaction |