Department of Psychology, MS-25, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA.
Curr Biol. 2009 Sep 29;19(18):1561-5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.07.052. Epub 2009 Aug 20.
When two different images are presented to the two eyes, we perceive alternations between seeing one image and seeing the other. Termed binocular rivalry, this visual phenomenon has been known for over a century and has been systematically studied in recent years at both the behavioral and neural levels. A similar phenomenon has been documented in audition. Here we report the discovery of alternating olfactory percepts when two different odorants are presented to the two nostrils. This binaral rivalry involves both cortical and peripheral (olfactory receptor) adaptations. Our discovery opens up new avenues to explore the workings of the olfactory system and olfactory awareness.
当两个不同的图像被呈现给两只眼睛时,我们会感觉到在看到一个图像和看到另一个图像之间交替。这种视觉现象被称为双眼竞争,已经有一个多世纪的历史了,近年来在行为和神经水平上都得到了系统的研究。在听觉中也有类似的现象。在这里,我们报告了当两种不同的气味被呈现给两个鼻孔时,交替嗅觉感知的发现。这种双鼻竞争涉及皮质和外周(嗅觉受体)的适应。我们的发现为探索嗅觉系统和嗅觉意识的工作原理开辟了新的途径。