A low-cost, MR-compatible olfactometer

Abstract

We present a design for an olfactometer, suitable for fMRI experiments, that can be constructed at extremely low cost. The olfactometer presents odors directly to the nose via a nasal cannula at unobtrusively low flow velocities, with no large assemblies required on or near the subject's face. The olfactometer can be controlled manually, or by computer via a serial interface. A validation study verified that the olfactometer reliably presents odors to test subjects. Errors and response latency times decreased with increased flow rate in an orderly manner, as expected.

Increased functional connectivity within mesocortical networks in open people

“…Two pleasant odors (banana and strawberry cream) and odorless air were presented via a custom-built MRI-compatible olfactometer that was based upon a previously described model controlled via a Labview script (National Instruments, TX, http://www.ni.com/ labview/i/) (Lowen and Lukas, 2006). Odor stimuli were selected from ratings made by different individuals (n = 20) (scale-range: 1-6) (mean ratings for pleasantness and disgust of odor stimuli were 4.4 ± 1.2 and 1.8 ± 1.1, respectively).…”

Objetive assessment of olfactory function using functional magnetic resonance (fMRI)

“…BACKGROUNG Several designs for olfactometers or different systems capable of generating odorants have been developed and published [10][11][12][13][14][15]. All of them consist of three modules: an airflow preparation unit, an odor generation unit and a delivery unit.…”

An extension of olfactometry methods: An expandable, fully automated, mobile, MRI-compatible olfactometer

“…Here, we present an olfactometer design that addresses these issues with different extensions to the already existing olfactometers currently used for fMRI studies (Andrieu et al, 2014;Borromeo Q3 et al, 2010;Cuevas et al, 2010;Lorig et al, 1999;Lowen and Lukas, 2006;Popp et al, 2004;Sezille et al, 2013;Sobel et al, 1997;Sommer et al, 2012;Vigouroux et al, 2005).…”