How the human brain represents smells
Electrophysiological representations of odor in the human brain
['FUNDING_R01'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11266179
This project records brain signals while people smell different odors so researchers can see how the brain tells scent identity and strength apart.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11266179 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be asked to smell different odors and give single-trial ratings of how strong they are and what they smell like while researchers record brain activity directly from smell-related brain regions using implanted electrodes. The team will compare low- and high-frequency brain signals and recordings from the piriform (olfactory) cortex to see which patterns correspond to intensity versus identity. They will link these human perceptual ratings with neural responses previously studied in animals to better understand how smell features are coded. Though this is basic science, it focuses on brain areas tied to smell loss in Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who already have clinical electrodes implanted near smell-processing brain areas and can follow simple smell-rating tasks.
Not a fit: People without implanted brain electrodes or those unable to perform smell-rating tasks (for example, severe dementia or total loss of smell) are unlikely to participate or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of smell loss in Alzheimer’s and help guide earlier detection or future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Rodent studies have identified neural patterns for odor features, but direct invasive recordings in humans are rare, so this approach is relatively novel while building on animal findings.
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease