How pleasant smells influence choices and appetite
Principles of olfactory reward processing in the human brain
This project uses brain scans and gentle brain stimulation to learn how food smells change choices and appetite in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11173731 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers will ask me to smell different food-related odors while they record my brain activity with fMRI and apply safe, non-invasive magnetic stimulation to a frontal brain area. I'll complete behavioral tasks that use food smells as rewards so the team can see how my choices and learning change over time. The researchers will combine pattern-based brain imaging with network-targeted stimulation to map the circuits linking smell, reward, and decision-making. Visits will likely include multiple scanning and stimulation sessions and questions about appetite and behavior.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who can safely undergo MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation, who have a working sense of smell, and who can attend multiple in-person visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with metal implants, active seizure disorders, or a complete loss of smell may not be eligible or likely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to influence appetite and food choices or guide non-invasive treatments for smell-related problems.
How similar studies have performed: Previous fMRI and TMS studies have illuminated brain responses to rewards, but combining network-targeted TMS with pattern-based fMRI for odor rewards is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zelano, Christina Maria — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Zelano, Christina Maria
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.