Characterization of in vivo bioelectronic nose with combined manganese-enhanced MRI and brain-computer interface

The sensitivity and specificity of the in vivo bioelectronic nose is substantially enhanced by using mammal's own olfactory system. However, where to implant the electrode in the OB are based on the researcher's experiences, which results in unsatisfying success rate. This study takes advantage of the paramagnetism and calcium ion similarity of the manganese ion. A small dose of manganese ion is delivered into the right naris of the rat and an odor is delivered to its nose before MRI scanning. With the MRI data, a region in the olfactory bulb activated by the specific odor is identified. Micro-wire electrode is implanted into the region and olfactory signals are recorded. When the rat is stimulated by the specific odor, the LFP and spike signals are found to be responsive. The LODs to isoamyl acetate and n-butyric acid are determined to be 0.033μM and 0.0072μM, respectively.