Ultra-slow mechanical stimulation of olfactory epithelium modulates consciousness by slowing cerebral rhythms in humans

[en] The coupling between respiration and neural activity within olfactory areas and hippocampus has recently been unambiguously demonstrated, its neurophysiological basis sustained by the well-assessed mechanical sensitivity of the olfactory epithelium. We herein hypothesize that this coupling reverberates to the whole brain, possibly modulating the subject's behavior and state of consciousness. The olfactory epithelium of 12 healthy subjects was stimulated with periodical odorless air-delivery (frequency 0.05 Hz, 8 s on, 12 off). Cortical electrical activity (High Density-EEG) and perceived state of consciousness have been studied. The stimulation induced i) an enhancement of delta-theta EEG activity over the whole cortex mainly involving the Limbic System and Default Mode Network structures, ii) a reversal of the overall information flow directionality from wake-like postero-anterior to NREM sleep-like antero-posterior, iii) the perception of having experienced an Altered State of Consciousness. These findings could shed further light via a neurophenomenological approach on the links between respiration, cerebral activity and subjective experience, suggesting a plausible neurophysiological basis for interpreting altered states of consciousness induced by respiration-based meditative practices.

Research Center/Unit :

Coma Science Group

Disciplines :

Neurology

Author, co-author :

Piarulli, Andrea ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA : Coma Group

Zaccaro, Andrea; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, Pisa, 56126, Italy

Laurino, Marco; Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56127, Italy

Menicucci, Danilo; Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Via Risorgimento 36, Pisa, 56126, Italy

De Vito, Andrea; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, University Hospital, AOUP, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124, Italy

Bruschini, Luca; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, Pisa, 56126, Italy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, University Hospital, AOUP, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124, Italy

Berrettini, Stefano; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, Pisa, 56126, Italy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, University Hospital, AOUP, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124, Italy

Bergamasco, Massimo; PERCRO Laboratory, TECIP Institute, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Via Alamanni 13B, Ghezzano Pisa, 56010, Italy

Laureys, Steven ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GIGA : Coma Group

Gemignani, Angelo; Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, Via Roma 65, Pisa, 56126, Italy, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (CNR), Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56127, Italy, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, University Hospital, AOUP, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa, 56124, Italy

Language :

English

Title :

Ultra-slow mechanical stimulation of olfactory epithelium modulates consciousness by slowing cerebral rhythms in humans

Publication date :

April 2018

Journal title :

Scientific Reports

eISSN :

2045-2322

Publisher :

Nature Publishing Group

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-24924-9.pdf

Funders :

UE - Union Européenne
NRC - National Research Council
UniPi - University of Pisa
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
FEDER - Fonds Européen de Développement Régional
JSMF - James S McDonnell Foundation
ASE - Agence Spatiale Européenne
BELSPO - Politique scientifique fédérale
FERB - Fondazione Europea Ricerca Biomedica
Laboratórios Bial
Wallonia-Brussels Federation Concerted Research Action

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since 29 April 2020

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