Primates have a secondary gustatory (taste) cortex in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) [1]. I thought that this was odd, given that (1) the OFC is associated with understanding consequences and (2) the prefrontal cortex (where OFC is located) is generally not associated with early sensory processing. (Instead, this area is associated with what we consider “thinking.”) Furthermore, these OFC cells have been shown to response not just to taste, but also visual and olfactory stimuli [1]! I looked at the original papers just in case, which had convincing evidence of OFC cells responding to a sensory stimuli (but none indicating that a single OFC cell responding to multiple sensory modalities [1]). (Again, weird given that rudimentary sensory processing is not often related to the frontal areas of the brain…)
It has therefore been proposed that perhaps the OFC is involved in identifying food, even attributing a role in eating disorders. Regardless, I found it interesting that potentially rudimentary sensory information was being conveyed to the prefrontal cortex (there are direct connection to the OFC from primary sensory areas) .
[1] PMID: 20680018
(painting is a small replica of Monet’s Red Mullets. I hope to visit Harvard Art Museum to see the actual painting soon ^^)
Originally posted on Instagram March 27, 2019
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