# Mechanisms of Naturally-occurring Odor Valence Modulation

> **NIH NIH R21** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $158,000

## Abstract

Summary
Sensory perception depends not only on the physical properties of the stimulus, but is also modulated by internal
states including attention, hormonal status and metabolism as well as experience and environmental stimuli.
How does the nervous system integrate this comprehensive information to select an appropriate behavioral
output for a particular sensory input? To address this question, it is crucial to link specific neuronal activity to
behaviors or percepts. The olfactory system provides a unique opportunity to study how genetically defined
circuits give rise to specific behaviors. Moreover, the perceived valence of odors and the corresponding
behavioral reactions can be state- and context-dependent, making it an ideal model to study sensory modulation.
Here, I propose to use a powerful new model involving a naturally occurring switch in odor valence, to reveal the
neuronal coding strategies underlying sensory modulation. In this model, the valence response of female mice
to a male volatile social cue significantly depends on the estrus-state. Moreover, the observed change in behavior
requires a defined olfactory receptor, which is expressed in the main olfactory epithelium. This naturally occurring
switch in odor valence provides a rare opportunity to study a non-conditioned, potentially inducible change in
perception. Specific Aim 1 will determine the role of hormones in the observed odor valence modulation. Specific
Aim 2 will use a newly developed head-fixed odor valence assay that combines physiological recordings in awake
mice with simultaneous behavioral analysis to dissect the peripheral and central mechanisms of state dependent
valence modulation. This work will be a key first step to identify the neural circuitry underlying modulation of
olfactory perception and will shed light on how specific perceptual features are encoded in the nervous system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10047600
- **Project number:** 1R21DC018905-01
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Annika Cichy
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $158,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10047600

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10047600, Mechanisms of Naturally-occurring Odor Valence Modulation (1R21DC018905-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10047600. Licensed CC0.

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