| Abstract: | This mainly methodological paper describes the novel use ofan established EEG-based brain imaging technique (Brain ElectricalActivity Mapping or BEAM) to explore human infant responsesto odours. The aim of this study was to evaluate BEAM as aninvestigative tool in infant olfaction. A small sample of 3-month-oldinfants was tested in a low ambient odour environment. The infants'cortical responses to a number of proprietary baby-food odourswere recorded. Two experimental hypotheses were addressed. Thefirst concerned relative differences in cortical response beforeand during odour presentation. The second hypothesis statedthat differences would be seen between the various odorants.The overall results supported the first hypothesis.
1Present address: School of Psychology, University of Birmingham,Birmingham B15 2TT, UK |
