Oscillatory Simulation of Mitral and Granule Cell Behavior in the Olfactory Bulb

摘要

This paper presents an oscillatory model of the olfactory bulb. The model involves the two main types of cells in the olfactory bulb, the mitral and granule cells. They are arranged in an array of coupled non-linear oscillators. We simulated the behavior of the bulb in response to different odors as well as to an artificial impulse. This impulse corresponds to a direct stimulation of single glomeruli in the bulb. The model exhibits distinct patterns of oscillation, which are unique for each odor. The observed results resemble experimental observations of the real bulb. In addition we provide a detailed overview of the anatomy of the olfactory bulb and we give reasons why an oscillatory modeling of the olfactory bulb is appropriate.