Abstract
Human imaging studies suggest that visually presented words are processed by distributed networks beyond classical language areas, reflecting the properties related to their meanings. Based on human single-neuron recordings, we investigated whether and how the odor aspect of words is processed in mediotemporal lobe regions involved in olfactory perception. We analyzed ensemble activity in response to odor-related versus control words in the piriform cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and parahippocampal cortex and identified stimulus-responsive and odor-associated neurons. We detected converging evidence for odor-associated responses to words in the amygdala, indicated by increased ensemble activity, and a significant proportion of odor-associated neurons. These findings support and extend the notion that the amygdala integrates information across sensory modalities, allowing for the evaluation of its emotional and social significance.