Nasal smell-tissue changes tied to smell loss and low motivation in schizophrenia
Project 3
This project links inflammation and chemical stress in the nose's smell tissue to smell loss and low motivation in adults with schizophrenia and some of their close relatives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258883 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will do smell tests, take small samples of the olfactory (smell) lining in your nose, and perform brain scans to measure the olfactory bulb. They will analyze those nasal cells for signs of inflammation and oxidative stress and compare the findings with your symptoms, especially negative symptoms like low motivation or pleasure. The team will also use animal models to help understand whether the nasal changes could cause brain and behavior differences. People with schizophrenia, some first-degree relatives, and healthy volunteers will be compared to find patterns tied to the condition.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (age 21 and older) with schizophrenia and some adult first-degree relatives are the main candidates for participation.
Not a fit: Children, people without schizophrenia or related smell problems, and those unwilling to undergo nasal sampling or scans are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help detect schizophrenia-related smell problems earlier and point to new targets to reduce negative symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies consistently show smell loss and molecular changes in nasal tissue in schizophrenia, but directly linking those nasal changes to symptoms is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sawa, Akira — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Sawa, Akira
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.