Association between Odor Memory and Prefrontal Cortex : An fMRI Study [Presidential Award Proceedings]

Abstract

　We investigated the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to determine which OFC subregions are related to autobiographical odor memory (AM odor). fMRI analysis indicated robust activation in the left posterior OFC (POFC). Connectivity between the POFC and bilateral precuneus, bilateral rostral dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (rdACC), and left parahippocampus was increased. Odor associated with emotionally significant autobiographical memories was accompanied by slow and deep breathing, possibly involving rdACC processing.