Deficits in olfactory sensitivity in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease revealed by plethysmography of odor-evoked sniffing

摘要

Semi-automated system for assaying mouse odor perception. The olfactometer contains a series of valves ( ) that can be digitally triggered through software to open, allowing a set air flow, regulated by a flow meter ( ), to pass through the associated valve into the connected odor vial ( ). This airflow will continue for 6 s, during which the air flow moves from the headspace of the vial containing liquid odor through the tubing to combine with the constant air flow in a manifold ( and finally on towards the animal in each plethysmograph chamber ( ). The odor enters beneath the perforated floor of the plethysmograph chamber and the chamber’s exhaust vent is towards the chamber ceiling. The changes in air pressure are recorded through the connected flow transducer ( ). This signal is amplified and filtered ( ) before being digitized ( ) and stored to the computer. Respiration and valve timing are both recorded digitally allowing monitoring of the animal’s respiration in real-time ( ). Image created with BioRender.