Understanding why some people lose their sense of smell after COVID-19 and how to help them recover
Official title: Immune dysregulation mechanisms of persistent post-COVID19 olfactory dysfunction
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11355636 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying why persistent smell loss after COVID-19 happens and what treatments could help restore the sense of smell.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,157 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021425-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355636 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with persistent loss or alteration of smell/taste following COVID-19 who have had symptoms for months or longer.
✕Less likely to help
People whose smell has fully recovered or whose condition is not related to COVID-19 chemosensory dysfunction may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how immune cells and inflammation in the nose affect the cells that sense smell, especially in people whose smell hasn’t returned after COVID-19. It uses patient-derived tissue or samples to map immune cell types and inflammatory signals, and then tests how these signals impact olfactory stem cells and sensory neurons. The goal is to identify specific pathways that cause long-lasting chemosensory dysfunction and to point to targeted therapies. If successful, the findings could guide new treatment approaches to help people regain their sense of smell.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially reveals targets for new treatments to restore smell and taste in people affected by long-lasting COVID-19 chemosensory dysfunction.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work shows immune and inflammatory factors can influence olfactory function, suggesting this approach could lead to tangible therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bankova, Lora — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bankova, Lora
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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.