# Experience-dependent plasticity of olfactory bulb circuits

> **NIH NIH R01** · LEHIGH UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $430,913

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The olfactory system can perform remarkable tasks in the identification and detection of odors.
The circuits that perform these tasks and how they are influenced by experience are poorly
understood. Our recent work has demonstrated that early prenatal experience results in
changes in odor-evoked responses, circuit connectivity and lateral inhibition.
Here we propose to analyze experience-dependent circuit-level changes in olfactory bulb lateral
inhibition using electrophysiological and optogenetic approaches. Specifically, we will perform
experiments and analysis designed to address the following three specific Aims.
Aim 1) To determine if odor conditioning alters the intrinsic properties of olfactory bulb
neurons. In many parts of the brain, one consequence of increased excitatory input is reduced
excitability of principle neurons. We will test whether the excitability of mitral and/or tufted cells
as well as particular interneuron types differs in animals subject to long-term odor exposure.
Aim 2) To determine how odor conditioning changes synaptic properties in olfactory bulb
circuits. Our preliminary data indicate that exposure to an M72 ligand increases the
strength of lateral inhibition onto tufted, but not mitral cells following activation of the M72
glomerulus. We will evaluate this plasticity by determining the circuit mechanisms of plastic
change. Specifically we will determine which synapses or cells are responsible for these
enhanced responses.
Aim 3: To determine how odor conditioning affects odor-evoked responses. Our published
and preliminary data show that long term exposure causes a broad increase in mitral cell odor
evoked responses (measured by in vivo 2-P calcium imaging in anesthetized animals). In this
Aim we propose to expand on this observation by examining odor-evoked responses in tufted
cells and specifically in mitral and tufted cells identified as receiving input in glomeruli that
respond to the conditioned odor.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10054191
- **Project number:** 5R01DC016560-04
- **Recipient organization:** LEHIGH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Nathan Neal Urban
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $430,913
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10054191

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10054191, Experience-dependent plasticity of olfactory bulb circuits (5R01DC016560-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10054191. Licensed CC0.

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