Near-infrared spectroscopy of the adult human olfactory cortex

Objective Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive method for investigating activation of the human cortex. The applicability of NIRS to the olfactory cortex was investigated. Material and Methods The relative oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin levels of the orbito-frontal cortex during olfactory stimulation in healthy subjects were measured using NIRS. Results When perfumed strips containing the odorants β-phenyl ethyl alcohol, iso-valeric acid and γ-undecalactone were presented, the oxy-hemoglobin level increased but the deoxy-hemoglobin level did not change. The increase in the oxy-hemoglobin level was observed bilaterally. A placebo perfumed strip did not elicit a change in the hemoglobin level. It was also observed that the odorant intensity affected the oxy-hemoglobin level. Although the orbito-frontal cortices seemed to be activated bilaterally during olfaction, the right cortex was activated to a greater extent than the left. Conclusion NIRS appears to be an adequate method for investigating the human olfactory cortex.