# Principles of olfactory reward processing in the human brain

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $332,563

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
A crucial function of the central nervous system is to bias behavior toward events and outcomes that hold
relevance for survival. It is well recognized that odors have a strong effect on animal behavior, as they guide
food search and selection, maternal bonding, and mate selection. Even though humans do not consider
olfaction to be a dominant sense, humans are similarly swayed by the rewarding properties of smells. With
recent developments in the pattern-based analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, we
are now in a position to explore the neural mechanisms of olfactory reward processing in humans. The
objective of the current research proposal is to capitalize on these novel methods in order to understand the
neural mechanisms of odor-guided behavior in humans. Specifically, we will use functional and structural brain
imaging in combination with olfactory psychophysics to reveal the functional anatomy and coding mechanisms
of olfactory reward processing. The proposed studies will examine predictive neural representations of food
odor identity and reward value, and their importance for olfactory reward-based behavior and learning.
Complementary studies will track the anatomical pathways between olfactory and limbic brain regions, and
delineate the specific information that is transmitted via these connections. Together these experiments will
open a new window into understanding olfactory reward processing in the human brain at the functional,
mechanistic, and anatomical level, with implications for neuroscientific research on adaptive behavior in
general. Moreover, the findings of this research can lead to a better understanding of the olfactory and
behavioral deficits described in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and
frontotemporal dementia, and may ultimately provide insights into the development of novel diagnostic and
therapeutic clinical approaches.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9993985
- **Project number:** 5R01DC015426-05
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Thorsten Kahnt
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $332,563
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9993985

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9993985, Principles of olfactory reward processing in the human brain (5R01DC015426-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9993985. Licensed CC0.

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