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A novel approach to study the neural mechanisms of flavor

Award Number: R21DC023403
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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A novel approach to study the neural mechanisms of flavor - Project Summary Flavor involves the integration of gustatory, olfactory, and oral somatosensory signals into a unified percept. This experi- ence is a major determinant of food palatability - profoundly influencing our diet and consummatory behavior. However, despite its importance to our overall health, our ability to decipher the neural mechanisms of flavor perception have been hindered by the difficulty of isolating and manipulating the components of this multisensory experience in animal models. Our study aims to overcome these hurdles by utilizing a novel stimulus delivery device that provides unparalleled con- trol over orthonasal (gas-based), retronasal (gas-based), and intraoral (fluid-based) odor delivery, both with and without gustatory stimuli. Here, we propose to use this stimulus delivery device in conjunction with multi-shank high density electrophysiological recordings (Aim 1) and behavior (Aim 2) to investigate the cortical and perceptual representation of flavor. Our experiments focus on two critical brain regions for flavor perception - the gustatory (GCx) and piriform (PCx) cortices. These regions are located in close anatomical proximity, exhibit strong cortico-cortical connectivity, and are thought to form a robust pathway for flavor integration. Specific Aim 1A will use high-density silicon probes, in awake behaving mice, to examine how the neural encoding of flavor is influenced by odor properties and delivery route (i.e., orthonasal or retronasal). Specific Aim 1B will use the same approach described in Aim 1A to investigate how the PCx and GCx cortical ensembles represent unimodal and multimodal stimuli before and after an odor-taste association formed via a specific route of odor delivery. Aim 2 will utilize operant conditioning to examine how odor sensitivity is shaped by delivery route and taste association. Achieving these aims will offer a unique and unparalleled window into the function of PCx and GCx as well as the circuitry and coding principles that underlie flavor perception.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $423,500 )
2026	2026	FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY	874 TRADITIONS WAY	TALLAHASSEE	FL	32306	LEON	USA	Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders	000	1	9/17/2026	NEW	$423,500
														Subtotal = $423,500

Grand Total All Awards = $423,500

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A novel approach to study the neural mechanisms of flavor

Award Number: R21DC023403

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/18/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2028

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