What can the sense of smell teach us about higher brain functions?
Description: A fundamental question in psychology is how sensations interact with cognitive processes. Cognitive researchers have focused mostly on the “higher senses” of vision (what we see) and audition (what we hear). Olfaction, the sense of smell, is less well understood. I have previously showed that olfactory loss is an early marker of cognitive decline among older adults. As a VR Consolidator, I will use behavioral and neuroimaging methods to study why cognitive processing might be different in olfaction compared to other senses. The purpose is to identify general principles that determine sensory-cognitive processing. My main hypothesis is that olfaction, compared to the higher senses, is supported by less perceptual processing resources (less modularity), but instead, olfaction has a more direct access to cognitive processing resources. After having tested this hypothesis, I will apply this knowledge to understand how olfaction is linked to cognitive decline in older adults, and whether cognitive training with odors can be used to strengthen the aging mind. My results will inform a general theory of how the senses interact with cognitive processes. The theory will be based on the notion that modularity and cognitive access are differently emphasized in different sensory systems, and this notion will be used to explain the cognitive differences between the senses. My research project aims to fill a major gap in cognitive research, which rarely considers olfactory-based cognition.
Funder: Vetenskapsrådet
Amount: SEK 12,000,000
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Grant for positions or stipends
Start date: 2020-12-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Investigator: Jonas Olofsson
Institution: Stockholm University
Funded outputs count: 24
Funder award ID: 2020-00266
OpenAlex ID: G4687762373