EEG ratio markers for the effect of emotional valence of olfactory stimuli

Physiology 2014 (London, UK) (2014) Proc Physiol Soc 31, PCB063

Poster Communications: EEG ratio markers for the effect of emotional valence of olfactory stimuli

I. Sosiedka1,2, S. Tukaiev2,1, I. Zima2,1

1. Human and Animal Physiology, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Educational and Scientific Centre "Institute of Biology", Kyiv, Ukraine. 2. Department of Physiology of Brain and Psychophysiology, National Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv, Educational and Scientific Centre "Institute of Biology", Kyiv, Ukraine.

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It is well known that spectral power density ratios of fast and slow frequency are useful tools in the study of emotional-cognitive interactions, emotion regulation. Olfactory information process by subcortical and frontal neocortical structures that involved in formation of emotional states. The aim of current study was to investigate the neurodynamics of human brain in particular the ratios between slow and fast waves of the electroencephalogram (EEG) under odor stimulation with izoamilacetate. 50 healthy volunteers (women and men) – students aged 18 to 23 years participated in this study. We estimated the spectral power density (SPD) of all frequencies from 0.2 to 35 Hz during the rest state and under the odor stimulation. Ratios were calculated by dividing slower wave power density by faster wave power density that is theta/beta and alpha/beta. The Wilcoxon test was carried out to compare dependent samples. Our results demonstrated that izoamilacetate have different impact on the brain electrogenesis depending subjective assessment. 31 of participants perceived the smell to be pleasant, 13 – to be unpleasant. In the first group, we detected mostly opposite changes of theta/beta (generalized increase at 3, 7 and 9 min, and reduction at 8 min) and alpha/beta ratios (generalized increase at 3 and 8 min and reduction at 7 and 9 min). Among those who assessed the izoamilacetate as unpleasant we observed simultaneous changes of both ratios (reduction at 3 and 8 min and increase at 7 min). Thus, we demonstrated that according to the subjective emotional evaluation of odor topographical reorganization of brain activation under odor stimulation with izoamilacetate had specific features that reflect information and emotion-activating processes. Our data also elucidate that passive odor perception is an analytic cognitive process.



Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.

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