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An intrinsic association between olfactory identification and spatial memory in humans

Author

Listed:
  • Louisa Dahmani

    (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University)

  • Raihaan M. Patel

    (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University)

  • Yiling Yang

    (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University)

  • M. Mallar Chakravarty

    (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University
    McGill University)

  • Lesley K. Fellows

    (Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University)

  • Véronique D. Bohbot

    (Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University)

Abstract

It was recently proposed that olfaction evolved to aid navigation. Consistent with this hypothesis, olfactory identification and spatial memory are linked to overlapping brain areas which include the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, the relationship between these two processes has never been specifically investigated. Here, we show that olfactory identification covaries with spatial memory in humans. We also found that the cortical thickness of the left medial orbitofrontal cortex, and the volume of the right hippocampus, predict both olfactory identification and spatial memory. Finally, we demonstrate deficits in both olfactory identification and spatial memory in patients with lesions of the medial orbitofrontal cortex. Our findings reveal an intrinsic relationship between olfaction and spatial memory that is supported by a shared reliance on the hippocampus and medial orbitofrontal cortex. This relationship may find its roots in the parallel evolution of the olfactory and hippocampal systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Louisa Dahmani & Raihaan M. Patel & Yiling Yang & M. Mallar Chakravarty & Lesley K. Fellows & Véronique D. Bohbot, 2018. "An intrinsic association between olfactory identification and spatial memory in humans," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06569-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06569-4
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    Cited by:

    1. Lingchao Meng & Kuo-Hsun Wen & Zhijie Zeng & Richard Brewin & Xiaolei Fan & Qiong Wu, 2020. "The Impact of Street Space Perception Factors on Elderly Health in High-Density Cities in Macau—Analysis Based on Street View Images and Deep Learning Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, February.

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