Odor perception is dynamic: consequences for interpretation of odor maps.

The concept of odor maps in the olfactory system can imply a precise one-to-one mapping between the physicochemical stimulus, the central sensory representation of that stimulus, and the olfactory perception. However, in humans and animals, experience plays a major role in qualitative perception of odors. This suggests that either odor maps and coding in the olfactory bulb (OB) are highly dynamic and/or that odor perception is more closely linked to olfactory cortical ensemble processing where precise maps of odorant physicochemical features are less evident.