Bestgen Anne-Kathrin, Schulze Patrick, Kuchinke Lars, Suchan Boris, Derdak Thilo, Otto Tobias, Jettkant Birger, Sucker Kirsten
Department of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
Department of Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany; Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
J Neurosci Methods. 2016 Mar 1;261:85-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.12.009. Epub 2015 Dec 29.
fMRI experiments on olfaction offer new insights into the complex, but in contrast to other sensory systems, less studied cognition of odors. To perform these experiments is still a challenge.
To address the challenge posed by MR settings, an olfactometer design is presented including specific improvements to the limited number of already existing olfactometers. Innovative features such as pneumatically controlled pinch valves, useable in the scanner and providing exact stimulus timing as well as a 3D-printed nasal mask inlet for common sleep laboratory masks that can be used for lateral divided stimulus presentation are introduced. To ensure a fully automated and mobile system, the use of a flexible and easily-adapted Matlab-Code and a portable adaptable container system are presented.
The functional efficiency of these features are proven by results of an fMRI study as well as testing temporal resolution and concentration stability with a mass spectrometer.
The 24-channel olfactometer design presented here provides an inexpensive alternative to the currently available olfactometers including the achievement of fast onset times, lateral divided stimulus presentation and high flexibility and adaptability to different scientific questions.
The olfactometer design presented in this paper can be seen as a realistic and feasible solution to overcome the challenges of presenting olfactory stimuli within the MR setting.
关于嗅觉的功能磁共振成像（fMRI）实验为复杂但与其他感觉系统相比研究较少的气味认知提供了新见解。进行这些实验仍然是一项挑战。
为应对磁共振成像（MR）设置带来的挑战，本文提出了一种嗅觉计设计，包括对现有数量有限的嗅觉计进行的具体改进。引入了创新特性，如可在扫描仪中使用并能提供精确刺激时间的气动控制夹管阀，以及用于普通睡眠实验室面罩的3D打印鼻罩入口，可用于侧向分开的刺激呈现。为确保系统完全自动化且便于移动，还介绍了使用灵活且易于适配的Matlab代码以及便携式可适配容器系统。
功能磁共振成像研究的结果以及用质谱仪测试时间分辨率和浓度稳定性，证明了这些特性的功能效率。
本文介绍的24通道嗅觉计设计为当前可用的嗅觉计提供了一种低成本替代方案，包括实现快速起效时间、侧向分开的刺激呈现以及对不同科学问题的高灵活性和适应性。
本文提出的嗅觉计设计可被视为克服在磁共振成像设置中呈现嗅觉刺激挑战的现实可行解决方案。
