Mapping olfactory system using probabilistic tractography
Poster presentation
To examine association between olfactory function and white matter fibre tracts, using probabilistic tractography, between primary and secondary olfactory areas, i.e. piriform cortex (PIR), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and thalamus (THAL). 38 healthy subjects took part in the MRI study and perceived 2 trigeminal odors (peppermint, spearmint) and 2 olfactory odors (strawberry, cherry). Odors were rated for intensity and pleasantness using visual analogue scales. We acquired diffusion tensor images (DTI) on a 3T MR scanner. Image analysis carried out using FMRIB software library. We performed tracking with PIR as the seed mask. Connections between PIR and OFC were termed as direct and between PIR and THAL as indirect. A Kruskal-Wallis test revealed a significant difference based on the type of the track. Higher number of tracks, for the olfactory system, were found on the right side of the brain as compared to the left side (p=0.001). Also, higher number of indirect tracks were found on left side (p=0.004) and on right side of the brain (p=0.01). A partial correlation analysis (age as control) revealed a positive correlation between direct tracks (PIR to OFC) on left side and threshold score for trigeminal odors (r=0.40, p=0.01). Left and right indirect track path (PIR to THAL) had a positive correlation with intensity ratings for trigeminal odors (r=0.40, p=0.01 and r=0.33, p=0.03, respectively). We also found a positive correlation between right indirect track path and odor identification score (r=0.37, p=0.02). Overall, we found higher tracks for the right hemisphere of the olfactory cortex. Higher number of direct tracks correlated with higher odor threshold scores whereas higher number of indirect tracks correlated with higher odor identification scores and higher odor intensity ratings. Importantly, results were derived using a more data driven approach rather than a-priori approach. Study funded by Takasago, Paris, France.