Transient receptor potential channels encode volatile chemicals sensed by rat trigeminal ganglion neurons.

ABSTRACT: Primary sensory afferents of the dorsal root and trigeminal ganglia constantly transmit sensory information depicting the individual's physical and chemical environment to higher brain regions. Beyond the typical trigeminal stimuli (e.g. irritants), environmental stimuli comprise a plethora of volatile chemicals with olfactory components (odorants). In spite of a complete loss of their sense of smell, anosmic patients may retain the ability to roughly discriminate between different volatile compounds. While the detailed mechanisms remain elusive, sensory structures belonging to the trigeminal system seem to be responsible for this phenomenon. In order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the activation of the trigeminal system by volatile chemicals, we investigated o

SUBMITTER: Lubbert M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3804614 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature