ETT Olfactometer 2, Manual

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Prerequisites
The paradigm
This chapter will step through the creation of a first simple paradigm. For information beyond this
description please consult the following paper (doi: 10.3233/JAD-141947). The paradigm presents each
subject with 4 concentrations of Lavender (three each time, lowest to highest to avoid habituation).
Each stimulus is 6 s long, followed by 30 s of odorless air. The paradigm also contains a visual
component presenting either Rest or Smell? depending on the context. We will simply call this paradigm
Four Concentrations (Figure 28).
Figure 28 - The four concentrations paradigm from our example
Preparing the odorants
With the paradigm plan in mind we will also prepare the odorants and load them into the odorant
carrier for this experiment. Clean each of the jars from odors if used in previous experiments. Most
odorants are oil based, so a mild odorless detergent will remove usually remove any residual odor.
Two main ingredients will be needed:
- Solvent: 1,2-propanediol (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA)
- Stimulus odorant: lavender oil (Givaudan Flavors Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, USA)
Create the four concentrations and fill each jar to about the same level. Also, fill the 7
th
jar for the flush
location with pure solvent to the same level. Thread the filled bottles into their positions as shown in
Figure 29
. Don’t forget to also add two empty bottles into slots 5 and 6 of the odorant carrier for a
proper seal.