Dopaminergic signaling to ventral striatum neurons initiates sniffing behavior.

Sniffing is a motivated behavior displayed by nearly all terrestrial vertebrates. While sniffing is associated with acquiring and processing odors, sniffing is also intertwined with affective and motivated states. The systems which influence the display of sniffing are unclear.

Sniffing can be initiated by dopamine's actions on ventral striatum neurons.

Sniffing is a motivated behavior displayed by nearly all terrestrial vertebrates. While sniffing is associated with acquiring and processing odors, sniffing is also intertwined with affective and motivated states. The neuromodulatory systems which influence the display of sniffing are unclear.