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. 2014 Apr 11:5:312.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00312. eCollection 2014.

Olfactory LOVER: behavioral and neural correlates of autobiographical odor memory

Maria Larsson  1 , Johan Willander  2 , Kristina Karlsson  2 , Artin Arshamian  1
Affiliations

Olfactory LOVER: behavioral and neural correlates of autobiographical odor memory

Maria Larsson et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Autobiographical memories (AMs) are personally experienced events that may be localized in time and space. In the present work we present an overview targeting memories evoked by the sense of smell. Overall, research indicates that autobiographical odor memory is different than memories evoked by our primary sensory systems; sight, and hearing. Here, observed differences from a behavioral and neuroanatomical perspective are presented. The key features of an olfactory evoked AM may be referred to the LOVER acronym-Limbic, Old, Vivid, Emotional, and Rare.

Keywords: applied psychology; autobiographical memory; experience; neuroanatomy; odor; smell.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Illustration of the acronym olfactory LOVER covering the core features of an autobiographical memory evoked by olfactory information. Memories triggered by the sense of smell rely on the integrity of the Limbicsystem and are typically Old, more Vivid, often Emotional, and relatively Rare as compared to autobiographical information evoked by our primary sensory systems.
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