How specific smells can help create new neurons in the brain.
Official title: The olfactory stimulation-dependent birth of neurons that express specific odorant receptors
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10879105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different smells might help your brain create new smell-related cells, which could lead to new ways to help people who have trouble smelling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $435,684 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC019936-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults experiencing olfactory dysfunction or related sensory issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact olfactory function or those not experiencing any sensory deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to certain odors can stimulate the birth of new neurons in the olfactory epithelium, a part of the brain responsible for our sense of smell. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind olfactory sensory neurogenesis, which is the process of generating new olfactory sensory neurons throughout life. By exploring how specific smells influence the production of these neurons, the research seeks to uncover potential therapeutic approaches for olfactory dysfunction, a condition affecting many adults. The methodology includes examining the effects of various odors on neuron birth rates in laboratory settings, potentially using animal models to draw conclusions applicable to humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for individuals suffering from olfactory dysfunction, improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of olfactory neurogenesis is established, the specific approach of linking odor exposure to neuron birth rates is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Santoro, Stephen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Santoro, Stephen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how alcohol and how couples talk about consent affect intimate partner sexual violence
This project studies how alcohol use and how partners communicate about consent influence intimate partner sexual violence among sexual minority and heterosexual couples.
-
How proteins change and move as heart cells develop
This grant aims to map how protein turnover changes as human iPSCs turn into cardiomyocytes and other cell types, using new labeling and mass-spectrometry methods.
-
Center for Health, Work and Environment
A national center dedicated to improving health in people who work, by studying how jobs affect well-being and safety.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
Expanded antibody-based clues to TB risk in people with HIV
A clinician-scientist seeks to understand how antibodies in people with HIV may drive the progression from latent TB to active TB, with the goal of identifying clues that could guide future care.
-
Human Trisome Project in Latin America Network
A large, multi-site study of people with Down syndrome across Latin America to better understand health and aging in DS.
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.