Better ways to treat blocked noses and loss of smell
Novel mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for nasal obstruction and olfactory losses
Developing new tests and treatments for adults with chronic nasal blockage and smell loss by studying how airflow and nasal sensing work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144310 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will measure how air moves through my nose and how my nasal nerves sense that airflow, focusing on a pathway called TRPM8. They will use objective airflow measurements and sensory testing alongside my reported symptoms to pinpoint why I feel blocked or have reduced smell. The team aims to build and test clinical tools that can detect conductive causes of smell loss that current methods miss. Findings may guide new non-surgical treatments that target nasal sensory function as well as better ways to decide when surgery or other therapies are needed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and over with chronic nasal or sinus disease who report persistent nasal obstruction or recent smell loss are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People whose smell loss is due to irreversible nerve damage (for example advanced neurodegenerative disease), those under 21, or those with obstruction caused solely by large structural lesions needing surgery may not benefit from sensing-focused approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could produce objective tests and new treatments that reduce breathing-related blockage and help restore smell in people with chronic sinus disease.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary studies suggest trigeminal airflow-sensing (TRPM8) contributes to the sensation of blockage, but clinical tools and treatments targeting this mechanism are mostly new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Kai — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Kai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.