Event Abstract Back to Event Cross-modal integration of odour and image valence using time-frequency analysis of chemosensory event-related and induced EEG activity Bill W. Budd1*, Paul Schofield1 and Bryan Paton1 1 University of Newcastle, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Australia Aims: Olfaction can be described as a ‘final frontier’ in sensory neuroscience since the cortical mechanisms responsible for our sense of smell remain relatively unexplored relative to our other senses. It is only quite recently that even the basic molecular organisation of olfactory receptors was identified (Buck & Axel, 1991). However, the relationship between stimulus structure and perception as well as the cortical processes mediating this relationship remain poorly understood. Contrary to popular belief, olfactory sensory acuity in humans is extraordinarily good, where odour detection thresholds have been observed on a part-per-trillion scale (Nagata & Takeuchi, 1990). Paradoxically, humans are notoriously bad at odour identification and recognition, which reflects the unique organisation and neuroanatomy of the olfactory sensory system. For example, olfactory signals propagate rapidly and directly from the periphery to primary cortex rather than via the thalamus as is the case for other sensory systems. Since the olfactory brain incorporates extensive limbic regions it is not surprising that conscious awareness of olfactory sensory information can be limited and that affect (i.e odour pleasantness) has been established as the primary perceptual dimension. Method: The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of ongoing research examining the influence of cross-modal affective congruence on EEG time-frequency activity. The results of a study using simultaneous presentation of randomly valanced images and odours to identify affective modulation of EEG oscillations are presented. Results: Synchronisation of high density EEG acquisition with odour stimulation was achieved using measures of inspiratory phase and EEG integration with a multi-channel computer-controlled constant flow air dilution olfactometer. Conclusions: The results are discussed in terms of solutions to the technical challenges in stimulus control and timing of odours and well as the unique opportunity time-frequency analysis of EEG/MEG offers for extending our understanding the cortical mechanisms underlying olfactory perception. Applications of EEG/MEG time-frequency analyses for sensory and consumer research in the food, wine, flavour and fragrance industry are also presented. Keywords: Olfaction, chemosensory perception, Affective Neuroscience, Time frequency analysis, cross modality integration Conference: ASP2017: 27th Annual Meeting for the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology, Parramatta, Australia, 29 Nov - 1 Dec, 2017. Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Topic: Abstract (General) Citation: Budd BW, Schofield P and Paton B (2019). Cross-modal integration of odour and image valence using time-frequency analysis of chemosensory event-related and induced EEG activity. Conference Abstract: ASP2017: 27th Annual Meeting for the Australasian Society for Psychophysiology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2017.224.00037 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Oct 2017; Published Online: 25 Jan 2019. * Correspondence: Dr. Bill W Budd, University of Newcastle, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, Callaghan, NSW, 2258, Australia, bill.budd@newcastle.edu.au Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Bill W Budd Paul Schofield Bryan Paton Google Bill W Budd Paul Schofield Bryan Paton Google Scholar Bill W Budd Paul Schofield Bryan Paton PubMed Bill W Budd Paul Schofield Bryan Paton Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.