Understanding Smell Loss in Older Adults
Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging Adults
This project aims to better understand why some older adults lose their sense of smell by looking at different parts of the body involved and how they might be affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145909 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many older adults experience a loss of smell, which can impact their health and quality of life. Current methods don't fully explain why this happens or how to group patients based on their specific condition. This work will explore various areas along the smell pathway, from the nose to the brain, to identify distinct ways smell loss occurs. By classifying patients based on these underlying causes, we hope to pave the way for more accurate diagnoses and personalized care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future related studies would be adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing a loss of their sense of smell.
Not a fit: Patients whose smell loss is not related to aging or the specific mechanisms being explored in this foundational research may not directly benefit from this particular effort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to improved diagnostic tools and more targeted treatments for older adults experiencing smell loss.
How similar studies have performed: While prior studies have shown that smell loss is common in older individuals, this project takes a novel approach by focusing on classifying patients based on specific disease sites and mechanisms, which has not been comprehensively achieved before.
Where this research is happening
Charleston, United States
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schlosser, Rodney Jon — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Schlosser, Rodney Jon
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.