Direct Piriform-to-Auditory Cortical Projections Shape Auditory-Olfactory Integration.

In a real-world environment, the brain must integrate information from multiple sensory modalities, including the auditory and olfactory systems. However, little is known about the neuronal circuits governing how odors influence and modulate sound processing. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying auditory-olfactory integration using anatomical, electrophysiological, and optogenetic approaches, focusing on the auditory cortex as a key locus for cross-modal integration.

Direct piriform-to-auditory cortical projections shape auditory-olfactory integration.

In a real-world environment, the brain must integrate information from multiple sensory modalities, including the auditory and olfactory systems. However, little is known about the neuronal circuits governing how odors influence and modulate sound processing. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying auditory-olfactory integration using anatomical, electrophysiological, and optogenetic approaches, focusing on the auditory cortex as a key locus for cross-modal integration.

Mechanisms Underlying Long-Term Synaptic Zinc Plasticity at Mouse Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus Glutamatergic Synapses.

In many brain areas, such as the neocortex, limbic structures, and auditory brainstem, synaptic zinc is released from presynaptic terminals to modulate neurotransmission. As such, synaptic zinc signaling modulates sensory processing and enhances acuity for discrimination of different sensory stimuli. Whereas sensory experience causes long-term changes in synaptic zinc signaling, the mechanisms underlying this long-term synaptic zinc plasticity remain unknown.

Differential inhibition of pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons along the rostrocaudal axis of anterior piriform cortex.

The spatial representation of stimuli in sensory neocortices provides a scaffold for elucidating circuit mechanisms underlying sensory processing. However, the anterior piriform cortex (APC) lacks topology for odor identity as well as afferent and intracortical excitation. Consequently, olfactory processing is considered homogenous along the APC rostral-caudal (RC) axis.

Photoactivatable Sensors for Detecting Mobile Zinc.

Fluorescent sensors for mobile zinc are valuable for studying complex biological systems. Because these sensors typically bind zinc rapidly and tightly, there has been little temporal control over the activity of the probe after its application to a sample. The ability to control the activity of a zinc sensor in vivo during imaging experiments would greatly improve the time resolution of the measurement.