Olfaction : From Genes to Behavior

Abstract

Our senses shape our reality and allow us to adapt to the everlasting changing environment. From all sensory modalities, olfaction is maybe the most intriguing one, probably because olfactory information influences our daily life without us even noticing. However, we can all relate to the powerful impact that the smell of our favorite food has on us. Likewise, olfactory cues could be determinants for partner selection (because love can be blind but not anosmic), mood regulation and cognition. Furthermore, recent studies link early olfactory dysfunctions to the occurrence of devastating pathologies, such as Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s. Thus, the study of olfaction, at different levels from genetics to behavior, will pave the way for a better understanding of brain processes and associated disorders.