Understanding how our brain learns to associate different smells.
Official title: Neurobiology of Sensory Preconditioning
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11076637 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our brains learn to connect different smells with experiences, and it’s for anyone curious about how we remember scents and what makes us associate them with certain feelings or memories.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $325,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM147917-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076637 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cognitive retention disorders or those interested in the mechanisms of learning and memory.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in cognitive processes or those not affected by learning and memory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological mechanisms behind how we learn to associate different sensory experiences, particularly focusing on smells. By using advanced techniques such as behavioral assessments, functional imaging, and genetic manipulations, the study aims to uncover the rules and dynamics of sensory preconditioning. The researchers will explore how dopamine influences this learning process and how our brain alters its representation of smells during these associations. This work could provide insights into the fundamental processes of learning and memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of learning and memory, potentially leading to new treatments for cognitive disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding classical conditioning and associative learning, making this approach a promising extension of established knowledge.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cervantes Sandoval, Isaac — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Cervantes Sandoval, Isaac
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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.