Facilitation in olfactory detection.

Olfactory sensitivity to n-aliphatic alcohols was determined by use of a yes-no signal detection procedure. The values of d’ for these compounds indicated higher sensitivity and less variability than has been shown previously by classical threshold methods. Self- and cross-adaptation studies demonstrated the usual decrement in sensitivity to one stimulus, following exposure to another stimulus, and in addition, cross-facilitation with certain stimulus pairings. The facilitating effects of one odorant upon the detection of another may be related to the differences in water solubilities of the odorants.