Clinical and imaging team exploring smell and brain links in schizophrenia
Core B
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11258885
This project looks at how smell problems and specific brain circuits relate to low motivation and social difficulties in people with schizophrenia using brain scans and complementary mouse experiments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11258885 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, the team will enroll people with schizophrenia for smell tests and brain imaging to study how olfactory and prefrontal circuits relate to symptoms. They will link imaging and smell results with clinical features like anhedonia, low motivation, and social difficulties. Parallel mouse experiments will trace the same brain circuits to understand mechanisms behind the human findings. The goal is to connect what is seen on tests and scans with specific symptoms to guide future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with schizophrenia, especially those with reduced sense of smell or prominent negative symptoms such as anhedonia or social withdrawal, are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without schizophrenia or whose main problems are positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions are less likely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify biomarkers and circuit-based targets that help improve motivation and social function in people with schizophrenia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has repeatedly found smell deficits linked to negative symptoms in schizophrenia, though combining detailed olfactory and cortical imaging with mouse circuit studies is a relatively new, translational approach.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MILLER, MICHAEL I — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: MILLER, MICHAEL I
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.