How nose smell cell problems may lead to social and motivation difficulties in schizophrenia
Project 1
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11258880
Researchers are looking into whether inflammation in the nose’s smell cells causes smell loss and related social and motivation problems in people with schizophrenia.
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-11258880 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project uses animal models and tissue studies to trace how inflammation in the nose’s olfactory lining (the olfactory epithelium) can change smell neurons and shrink the smell-processing bulb in the brain. The team will follow how those nose changes alter brain connections to frontal brain areas involved in motivation and social recognition. Findings build on earlier mouse work showing smell-cell inflammation causes changes in brain structure and behavior. Results could help explain why smell loss appears early in schizophrenia and links to negative symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with schizophrenia, especially those who notice reduced sense of smell or have social withdrawal and low motivation, would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: People without schizophrenia or those whose symptoms clearly stem from unrelated causes (for example medication side effects or non-olfactory brain disorders) are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to detect or treat negative symptoms of schizophrenia by targeting nasal inflammation or the smell system.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have repeatedly found smell loss in schizophrenia and preliminary animal data support a link between olfactory inflammation and brain changes, but the precise mechanism is still novel.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LANE, ANDREW P — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LANE, ANDREW P
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.