Ipsilateral dominance of human olfactory activated centers estimated from event-related magnetic fields measured by 122-channel whole-head neuromagnetometer using odorant stimuli synchronized with respirations

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998 Nov 30:855:579-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10628.x.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure and analyze olfactory event-related magnetic fields using a whole-cortex biomagnetometer (122-channel SQUID gradiometer). Amyl-acetate gas (approx. 1%) was administered for 300 msec into either the right or left nostril in synchronization with respiration using a mask and an optical fiber sensor. Clear olfactory event-related magnetic fields were asymmetrically obtained on both sides of the forehead in all six subjects. The generators of olfactory magnetic fields were estimated at two regions located fairly asymmetrivally near the bilateral frontal deep areas. The goodness-of-fit was better for the two-dipole model than the one-dipole model in all experiments. In almost all subjects the latency and intensity of ipsilateral olfactory magnetoencephalography (MEG) responses were shorter and larger than those of the contralateral responses, respectively. These results suggest that the olfactory MEG responses on the ipsilateral side are generally larger and more dominant than those on the contralateral side in the human olfactory system.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Mapping
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / instrumentation
  • Odorants
  • Olfactory Bulb / physiology*
  • Smell / physiology*