Understanding how the brain learns to associate smells with positive or negative feelings
Official title: Basolateral amygdala support of odor valence learning
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10902162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the part of your brain that deals with smells also helps you connect those smells to feelings, which can affect your mood and appetite, and it aims to help people understand how losing the sense of smell might change their emotions and behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $43,382 |
| NIH project number | 1F31DC021888-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10902162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals experiencing olfactory sensory loss or those with affective disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any olfactory issues or those not affected by emotional or behavioral disorders may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's basolateral amygdala processes smells and assigns them emotional value, which can influence behavior and appetite. By examining the neural circuitry involved in odor valence learning, the study aims to uncover how both positive and negative associations with smells are formed. The research employs advanced techniques such as electrophysiology to monitor brain activity and understand the role of dopamine in this learning process. Patients may benefit from insights into how olfactory sensory loss affects emotional responses and behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for emotional and behavioral disorders linked to olfactory dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of the amygdala in emotional processing, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sniffen, Sarah Elizabeth — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Sniffen, Sarah Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial pores and muscle loss in cancer cachexia
A small US-based study will explore how changes in mitochondria contribute to muscle wasting in people with cancer cachexia and how this may be slowed.
-
Photobiomodulation for jaw pain from TMD
A clinician-scientist at the University of Florida is testing a light-based therapy to help adults with temporomandibular disorder pain feel better and jaw function improve.
-
How the brain controls swallowing and airway protection
A research team at the University of Florida is studying how brain networks control swallowing to reduce risk of choking and lung infections in people with neuromuscular diseases.
-
Donor-driven 3D organoid platform to study pancreatic cancer drug response
A pilot project to create patient-derived, 3D organoid models of pancreatic cancer to measure how tumors from different people respond to chemotherapy.
-
RAAS inhibitors and pancreatic cancer risk in diverse adults
A Florida-based study will look at whether commonly used blood pressure medicines (RAAS inhibitors) are linked to new cases of pancreatic cancer, especially among Black and Hispanic adults.
-
Pilot project exploring new cancer drugs for pancreatic cancer in African American patients
A small, early-stage project tests new drug-derived compounds to treat pancreatic cancer, focusing on African American patients who are disproportionately affected.
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.