Understanding how smell memory is affected in older adults with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Odor memory and functional neuroimaging in cognitively impaired older adults and Alzheimer's disease
Funded at New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC · NIH-10778609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how smell and memory are connected in older adults with Alzheimer's disease, and it involves smelling different scents while we check brain activity to learn more about how this condition affects memory.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $195,470 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AG076872-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10778609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing cognitive impairment or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cognitive impairment or those with other unrelated neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between odor memory and Alzheimer's disease by using advanced neuroimaging techniques. It aims to uncover the neural mechanisms that contribute to memory deficits related to smell in cognitively impaired older adults. The project involves training in neuroimaging methodologies and olfactory evaluations, which will help in identifying biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. Participants may undergo assessments that include smelling various odors while their brain activity is monitored to better understand these connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods for early detection of Alzheimer's disease based on odor memory.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using neuroimaging to study memory and Alzheimer's disease, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Motter, Jeffrey Nicholas — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Motter, Jeffrey Nicholas
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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.