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Articles by Tal Dalal
A topographical organization in the primary olfactory cortex
Abstract A key principle of most sensory cortices is their topographic organization, in which neurons in proximity exhibit similar tuning properties, typically varying along a specific stimulus feature. However, such an organization has not yet been identified in the olfactory system. Here, we developed a method that reveals the set of glomerular inputs to multiple Piriform Cortex neurons. We found that, on average, each Piriform neuron receives input from ~60 glomeruli.
Activity-dependent lateral inhibition enables the synchronization of olfactory bulb projection neurons
Abstract Information in the brain is represented by the activity of neuronal ensembles. These ensembles are adaptive and dynamic, formed and truncated based on the animal's experience. One mechanism by which spatially distributed neurons form an ensemble is by synchronizing their spike times in response to a sensory event. In the olfactory bulb, odor stimulation evokes rhythmic gamma activity in spatially distributed mitral and tufted cells (MTCs).
Activity-dependent lateral inhibition enables ensemble synchronization of odor-activated neurons in the olfactory bulb
Abstract Information in the brain is represented by the activity of neuronal ensembles. These ensembles are adaptive and dynamic, formed and truncated based on the animal's experience. One mechanism by which spatially distributed neurons form an ensemble is synchronizing their spiking activity in response to a sensory event. In the olfactory bulb, odor stimulation evokes rhythmic gamma activity in spatially distributed mitral and tufted cells (MTCs).
Upstream γ-synchronization enhances odor processing in downstream neurons
Highlights • Modulating GC activities dissociates MTCs odor-evoked γ-synchrony from firing rates • Increasing MTC γ-synchrony enhances PC odor responses despite a reduction in MTC spikes • Decreasing γ-synchrony degrades PC odor responses • GC-MTC interactions are sufficient and required to enhance PC odor responses Summary γ-oscillatory activity is ubiquitous across brain areas. Numerous studies have suggested that γ-synchrony is likely to enhance the transmission of sensory information.
A Mirror-Symmetric Excitatory Link Coordinates Odor Maps across Olfactory Bulbs and Enables Odor Perceptual Unity
Sensory input reaching the brain from bilateral and offset channels is nonetheless perceived as unified. This unity could be explained by simultaneous projections to both hemispheres, or inter-hemispheric information transfer between sensory cortical maps. Odor input, however, is not topographically organized, nor does it project bilaterally, making olfactory perceptual unity enigmatic.
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