Odor increases synchronization of brain activity when watching emotional movies.

Objective: Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have shown that interpersonal synchronization of brain activity can be measured between people sharing similar emotional, narrative, or attentional states. There is evidence that odors can modulate the activity of brain regions involved in memory, emotion and social cognition, suggesting a link between shared olfactory experiences and synchronized brain activity in social contexts.

Method: We used fMRI to investigate the effects of a positively-valenced odor on inter-subject correlation (ISC) of brain activity in healthy volunteers watching movies.

Investigating the Evolution of Odor-Evoked Memories Retrieval in Normal Aging: Theoretical and Clinical Implications.

Background: Olfactory-based cognitive stimulation is frequently proposed for memory-impaired patients (namely dementia patients), but little is known about the scientific rationale underlying odor choice.

Objectives: Here, we aimed at investigating the evolution of the olfactory experience related to memory evocation in normal aging. Methods.

Sensory Cueing of Autobiographical Memories in Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: A Comparison Between Visual, Auditory, and Olfactory Information.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease resulting in a progressive decline of autobiographical memories (AMs) which favors the development of psycho-behavioral disorders. One of the most popular psychosocial interventions in dementia care, Reminiscence Therapy, commonly uses sensory cueing to stimulate AMs retrieval. However, few empirical studies have investigated the impact of sensory stimulation on AMs retrieval in AD.