OLFACTORY DISCRIMINATION AFTER DESTRUCTION OF THE ANTERIOR THALAMIC NUCLEI

Abstract

Olfactory discrimination of rats was tested after interruption of the cortical radiations of the anterior thalamic nuclei. Discrimination between the odors of oil of wintergreen and of bread and milk was not disturbed by total bilateral degeneration of the anterodorsal, anteroven-tral, and anteromedial nuclei, with additional involvement of the septum. Removal of the olfactory bulbs permanently abolished the discrimination, showing that the reaction was based upon olfactory and not trigeminal stimulation.