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1: Nat Neurosci. 2004 Apr;7(4):337-8. Epub 2004 Mar 21.Click here to read Links
Comment in:
Nat Neurosci. 2004 Apr;7(4):315.

A psychophysical test of the vibration theory of olfaction.

Keller A, Vosshall LB.

Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Behavior, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, Box 63, New York New York, 10021, USA. kellera@mail.rockefeller.edu

At present, no satisfactory theory exists to explain how a given molecule results in the perception of a particular smell. One theory is that olfactory sensory neurons detect intramolecular vibrations of the odorous molecule. We used psychophysical methods in humans to test this vibration theory of olfaction and found no evidence to support it.

PMID: 15034588 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]