Human olfactory amygdala subregions and their responses to smells
Official title: Characterization of Human Olfactory Amygdala Subregions Experiment 3
Run by Northwestern University · NCT07060651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research will test how different parts of the human amygdala respond to smells by presenting odors while recording and stimulating brain activity in adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Northwestern University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 1, 2022 |
| Main results expected | April 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | April 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07060651 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults (age 18 and older) who can attend in-person visits at Northwestern and are willing to undergo odor presentation and noninvasive brain recording and stimulation procedures.
✕Probably not a fit
People seeking immediate clinical treatment for smell loss or psychiatric conditions should not expect direct therapeutic benefit from participating.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The project aims to map the functions of amygdala subregions that receive direct input from the olfactory bulb. Investigators will present controlled odors to adult volunteers while recording and, in some cases, delivering targeted brain stimulation to measure subregion-specific responses. Results will compare response patterns across subregions to clarify distinct roles in human olfactory processing and relate those patterns to prior animal findings. All procedures will be conducted in-person at Northwestern's human olfaction lab using established odor presentation and neurophysiological recording methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve understanding of smell-related brain circuits and eventually inform better diagnosis or targeted treatments for olfactory and emotion-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Related rodent studies have demonstrated distinct olfactory functions across amygdala subregions, but comparable human experiments using odor presentation with direct brain recording and stimulation are limited and relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * older than 18 years of age Exclusion Criteria: \-
Where it's running
-
Northwestern human olfaction lab
Chicago, Illinois, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Christina Zelano, PhD
- Email: c-zelano@northwestern.edu
- Phone: 312-503-4437
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.