Marine Coeugnet
Research topics
Axis 1: Ambient odors, perception and olfactory representations
The first axis of my research focuses on the study of odors, emphasizing their perception by human beings and the representations they elicit. This approach encompasses the entire process, from the initial chemical molecule to the perception of the odor by individuals, as well as the affect it generates.
The main aim of this area is to contribute to odor research in an ecological way. To achieve this goal, we use olfactory speakers to recreate olfactory environments similar to those encountered in everyday life, whether walking past a bakery, lighting a candle or interacting with perfumed people.
The study of these olfactory environments is based on an approach that is both subjective, through the use of questionnaires, and objective, by analyzing brain responses (via EEG and fNIRS) as well as physiological responses (such as heart rate and breathing).
Axis 2: Effect of odors on attentional orientation during effort
The second axis of my research focuses on the impact of odors on the attentional orientation of individuals during physical and cognitive efforts.
In the context of physical effort, it is well established that attention focused on the environment (external attentional focus) can facilitate the realization of effort. With this in mind, we are exploring the possibility of using odors to induce dissociation in the individual, leading them to direct their attention towards the odor rather than their fatigue or pain. However, this approach raises crucial questions: is there a specific type of odor to be favored, and to what extent can odors induce dissociation as effectively as music, for example?
In addition to physical effort, this second line of research also examines the impact of odors on cognitive effort. We are investigating whether odors can facilitate or disrupt the concentration needed to accomplish tasks requiring significant cognitive resources.
This research aims to shed light on the use of odors as modulators of attention in various contexts, whether related to physical or cognitive effort.
Axis 3: Brain imaging with fNIRS technology
The third axis of my research focuses on the objective measurement of odor impact, given the significant role of the unconscious in olfactory perception. Representations associated with odors and their influence on attention and effort are linked to high-level cognitive functions, but the underlying brain mechanisms and resources mobilized remain poorly understood.
A major challenge lies in the fact that current neuroimaging techniques, such as EEG and fMRI, are sensitive to body movements, making it difficult to study brain activity during paradigms involving complex body movements, such as physical effort. With this in mind, our research relies on the continuous-wave fNIRS system to record hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal and motor regions of the brain. This technology enables us to better understand the brain activity associated with a variety of motor and cognitive tasks, presenting different complexities and rhythms, while minimizing movement-related limitations.
In addition, the use of this technique will make it possible to objectify and observe the effect of odors at a cerebral and physiological level.