How the brain processes smells related to social interactions
Official title: Cortical odor processing for social recognition
Funded at Monell Chemical Senses Center · NIH-11005216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the part of the brain that helps us smell affects our social interactions, especially how a special brain chemical called oxytocin influences our responses to social scents, which could help people understand social behaviors better, especially for those with autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monell Chemical Senses Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $423,192 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC020927-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11005216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with autism spectrum disorder who may experience challenges in social recognition and interaction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any olfactory processing issues or those not affected by social recognition challenges may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's olfactory system, particularly the piriform cortex, processes smells that are important for social recognition and interactions. By examining how neural circuits in this area respond to social scents, the study aims to uncover the role of the neuropeptide oxytocin in modulating these responses. The research will involve analyzing how these circuits operate differently in social versus nonsocial contexts, which could provide insights into adaptive behaviors in social situations. Patients may benefit from understanding how olfactory processing affects social behaviors, particularly in conditions like autism spectrum disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behavior in individuals with autism and lead to new therapeutic approaches.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant progress in understanding olfactory processing, this specific focus on social scents and their neural processing is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bolding, Kevin a — Monell Chemical Senses Center
- Study coordinator: Bolding, Kevin a
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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.