Exposure to furaneol odor affects spontaneous locomotor activity in mice

The effects of furaneol exposure on dietary intake, body weight, and spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) were examined in mice. Exposure to furaneol for either 15 or 60 min significantly increased SLA, with the highest values in both groups being recorded at 3 weeks, followed by a subsequent decline over time. Dietary intake and body weight remained unchanged. The mRNA expression patterns in the central tissues were investigated. In the hypothalamus, compared with those induced by exercise, levels of mRNA expression associated with the oxytocin and serotonin system showed significant increases following exposure to furaneol odor for 15 min. Additionally, dopamine receptor expression increased in the amygdala. In contrast, while expression changes in these neuropeptides and receptors were less pronounced after 60 min of exposure, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide expression increased significantly. These findings suggest that the neurophysiological responses associated with SLA enhancement differ depending on the duration of furaneol exposure.