Stochastic mechanism for improving selectivity of olfactory projection neurons

Abstract

A mechanism is proposed for increasing selectivity of olfactory bulb projection neurons as compared to the olfactory receptor neurons, which could operate under low odor concentration, when the lateral inhibition mechanism becomes inefficient. The mechanism proposed is based on the threshold-type reaction to stimuli a projection neuron receives from the receptor neurons, the stochastic nature of those stimuli and electrical leakage in the projection neurons. The mechanism operates at the level of individual projection neuron and does not require involvement of other bulbar neurons. Keywords: olfactory receptor neuron; projection neuron; selectivity; stochastic process; theory