Natural odor levels in spinal fluid after inhalation
Official title: Abundance of a Natural Odour in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid After Olfactory Exposure - the OLFO-Brain Study
Run by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · NCT06370845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether inhaling a natural odor leads to detectable levels of that odor in the spinal fluid and blood of lean and obese adults undergoing a lumbar puncture.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Basel and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 14, 2026 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | May 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06370845 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults 18–60 who are already scheduled for a routine lumbar puncture and meet either lean (BMI 18–25) criteria or obese (BMI ≥30) without diabetes, and who can give informed consent.
✕Probably not a fit
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have severe chronic illnesses, recent nasal/sinus surgery, active upper respiratory infections, a known allergy to the odor, or who are not undergoing a lumbar puncture are unlikely to 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
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled early-phase interventional trial in adults aged 18–60 with lean (BMI 18–25) or obese (BMI ≥30, non-diabetic) categories. Participants scheduled for a routine lumbar puncture will inhale either a natural odor or a placebo via an inhaler and provide blood samples; cerebrospinal fluid will be collected as part of their standard-of-care lumbar puncture. The trial measures the abundance of the inhaled odor compound in cerebrospinal fluid and blood to determine whether the odor reaches central compartments. Common exclusions include pregnancy, severe chronic disease, prior nasal or sinus surgery, acute upper respiratory infection, or allergy to the odor.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could show that inhaled natural odors can be detected in spinal fluid and blood, which might open new directions for diagnostics or mechanistic research though direct clinical benefit is uncertain.
How similar studies have gone: This specific measurement in human cerebrospinal fluid after inhalation is largely novel, though related research has detected inhaled or volatile compounds in blood and peripheral tissues.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria Obese Participants: * Age 18-60 years * Written informed consent * Scheduled for routine liquor puncture * BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 * No proven diagnose of diabetes Inclusion Criteria Lean Participants: * Age 18-60 years * Written informed consent * Scheduled for routine liquor puncture * BMI 18-25 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Known allergy to the natural odour * Acute upper respiratory tract infection, acute or chronic sinusitis * Present or past surgical intervention of the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinus, the pituitary or the frontal brain * Pregnancy/lactation * Any kind of severe chronic disease (e.g. severe heart failure, active cancer disease, severe renal impairment with an estimated glomerular filtration rate \<30 ml/min/m2) * Inability to understand the study procedure and to sign the study consent
Where it's running
-
University Hospital of Basel
Basel, Switzerland Recruiting -
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Katharina Timper, Prof. Dr. med. — University Hospital Basel, Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism
- Study coordinator: Katharina Timper, Prof. Dr. med.
- Email: katharina.timper@usb.ch
- Phone: 0041 61 328 57 42
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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.