Nose tissue testing to understand smell loss in Alzheimer's
Biopsy-based single cell assays for olfactory sensory changes in an Alzheimer's Disease cohort
Researchers will collect small nasal biopsies and smell tests from people with early or symptomatic Alzheimer's to look at individual cells and how smell loss relates to the disease.
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 ID | NIH-11237126 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive a non‑invasive smell test and a small, minimally invasive biopsy from the lining of your nose. The cells from that biopsy will be analyzed one-by-one using single‑cell RNA sequencing to see which cell types and genes are changed. The team will compare results from people at different stages of Alzheimer’s and include clinical details like APOE‑ε4 status, sex, and race. Resulting data will be shared with other researchers to speed up understanding of smell loss and Alzheimer’s.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with preclinical or symptomatic Alzheimer's disease, including those noticing smell changes, who are willing to have olfactory testing and a small nasal biopsy.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's, those unwilling to undergo a nasal biopsy, or those with medical issues that make biopsy unsafe are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could reveal early cellular changes in the nose that signal Alzheimer's and help guide future diagnostic tests or treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked smell loss to Alzheimer's and small olfactory biopsy studies exist, but applying single‑cell sequencing to patient olfactory samples is a relatively new and expanding approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Bradley J — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Bradley J
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.