Odor and Memory in Humans

Term Paper # 100645

Biology > Zoology
Medical and Health
Psychology > Memory
Psychology > Physiological

This paper explains olfaction is closely related to the limbic system, which plays a role in directing both emotions and memory.

2,445 words () | 12 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper relates that the sense of smell is related to spatial memory in a residual feature shared with other vertebrates that are also able to recognize and become reoriented towards a place by way of olfactory reminders. The author points out that only two synapses separate the human olfactory nerve from the amygdala involved in emotion and emotional memory, and only three synapses separate the olfactory nerve from the hippocampus implicated in memory and especially, working and long term memory. The paper states that neurobiological and other studies pertaining to olfaction and memory have explored such topics as social membership, interaction and recognition.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Indications of Evolution
Amnosmia
More on Human Olfaction and Other Primates
Concluding Remarks

From the Paper:

"This 'Proust Effect' has been noted in various other kinds of survivors and often, many years after other reminders of unwanted, often terrible experiences have subsided. A particular smell of which the person may barely be aware till encountered can create intense emotional memories and upset. It is known that olfactory neurons are unmyleinated as makes them the slowest of those associated with the different senses but also makes perceived smells last longer than those of vision or audition. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Ackerl, K., M. Atzmueller and K. Gramer. 2002. The Scent of Fear. Neuroendocrinology Letters, 23, 79-84.
Adolphs, R. 2001. The Neurobiology of Social Cognition. Current Opinion in Neurobiology, 11, 231-239.
Buchanan, T.W., D. Tranel and R. Adolphs. 2003. A Specific Role for the Human Amygdala in Olfactory Memory. Learning and Memory, 10, 319-325.
Buck, L. 1991. Information Coding in the Vertebrate Olfactory System. American Review of Neuroscience, 19, 517-544.
Chu, C. and J.J. Downes. 2000. Long Live Proust - the Odor-Cued Autobiographical Memory Bump. Cognition, 75, B41-50.