Understanding how the brain processes smells
Official title: An innovative approach to cracking odor coding in the piriform cortex
Funded at Florida State University · NIH-11057296 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the brain that helps us smell works, especially how it reacts to different strengths of odors, to help us understand why we perceive smells the way we do.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tallahassee, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $423,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DC021776-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057296 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing olfactory dysfunction or those interested in the neuroscience of smell.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no interest in olfactory research or those without any olfactory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the piriform cortex, a key area in the brain responsible for processing smells, encodes olfactory information. By examining the neural activity in this region under different conditions, the researchers aim to uncover the principles that govern how we perceive odors. The study will utilize advanced techniques to analyze how the brain responds to various concentrations of odorants, which could lead to a better understanding of olfactory perception. This research is particularly focused on the differences in neural responses when odor signals are strong versus weak.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of smell perception, potentially leading to new treatments for olfactory disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been significant studies on olfactory processing, this approach to examining the piriform cortex under varying noise conditions is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida State University
Tallahassee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dewan, Adam Kabir — Florida State University
- Study coordinator: Dewan, Adam Kabir
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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.