Investigating smell loss in Alzheimer's Disease patients
Official title: Biopsy-based single cell assays for olfactory sensory changes in an Alzheimer's Disease cohort
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11019851 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how losing your sense of smell might be connected to Alzheimer's Disease, and it's for people who have early signs or symptoms of the disease; researchers will take small samples from the nose to learn more about the changes happening in the brain and how they could help find new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $680,656 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082335-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019851 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who are experiencing early symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease or have a genetic predisposition, such as those with the APOE-e4 allele.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced Alzheimer's Disease or those without any olfactory dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how changes in the sense of smell, known as anosmia, relate to Alzheimer's Disease (AD). By collecting olfactory biopsies from individuals with preclinical or symptomatic AD, researchers will analyze the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in olfactory loss. The study employs advanced techniques like single cell RNA sequencing to compare the genetic profiles of olfactory neurons and immune cells in different stages of the disease. This approach aims to uncover insights that could lead to new treatments for olfactory disorders and AD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's Disease and related olfactory disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that olfactory dysfunction can be an early indicator of Alzheimer's Disease, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Bradley J — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Bradley J
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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.