Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging Adults
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Clinical and Biomarker Assessments.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Olfactory Dysfunction. Basic parameters: from 50 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
This prospective longitudinal cohort study will enroll adults aged 50 years and older to characterize olfactory dysfunction in aging. Participants will undergo comprehensive olfactory testing, cognitive assessment, biomarker collection, and imaging to identify clinically relevant phenotypes based on anatomic site of dysfunction. The study will also evaluate the impact of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life and identify baseline factors associated with changes in olfactory function over time.
Detailed description
Olfactory dysfunction is common in older adults and is associated with impaired quality of life and increased mortality, yet underlying mechanisms and clinically relevant classifications remain poorly defined. Prior studies have relied on limited screening methods and have not adequately characterized the anatomic sites or mechanisms contributing to olfactory loss.
This prospective longitudinal cohort study will enroll adults aged 50 years and older to comprehensively evaluate olfactory function and its determinants. Participants will undergo psychophysical olfactory testing using Sniffin' Sticks (threshold, discrimination, and identification), cognitive assessment, nasal endoscopy, and olfactory mucus collection for biomarker analysis. A subset of participants will also undergo magnetic resonance imaging to assess peripheral and central olfactory structures.
The primary objective is to establish clinically relevant phenotypes of olfactory dysfunction based on olfactory testing and cognitive function, corresponding to peripheral, sensorineural, or central mechanisms. Secondary objectives are to determine the impact of olfactory dysfunction on quality of life, depression, social isolation, and nutrition using validated patient-reported outcome measures, and to identify baseline factors that predict longitudinal changes in olfactory function.
Participants will be followed annually with repeat olfactory testing and outcome assessments to evaluate changes over time and identify predictors of olfactory decline. This study aims to improve understanding of olfactory dysfunction in aging and provide a foundation for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Interventions
- Other Clinical and Biomarker Assessments
Participants undergo olfactory testing (Sniffin' Sticks), cognitive assessment, nasal endoscopy, olfactory mucus collection, MRI imaging (subset), and patient-reported outcome measures to evaluate olfactory function, biomarkers, and health outcomes over time.
Primary outcome measures
- Olfactory Function [Time frame: Baseline]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- Change in Olfactory Function Over Time [Time frame: Year 1 and year 2]
- Patient-Reported Outcomes [Time frame: Baseline, Year 1 and year 2]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age: 50 years or older
- Ability to follow instructions and understand consent process in English
- Adequate visual, auditory, or motor functioning to complete items in the test battery or availability of assistance or assist devices to complete tasks
Exclusion criteria
\- Vulnerable populations including prisoners or institutionalized individuals
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- MUSC — Charleston
Publications
- Soler ZM, Gregoski MJ, Kohli P, LaPointe KA, Schlosser RJ. Development and validation of the four-item Concise Aging adults Smell Test to screen for olfactory dysfunction in older adults. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Mar;15(3):250-257. doi: 10.1002/alr.23476. Epub 2024 Oct 27. PMID 39462307
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07660887 · Pro00150356 · 5R01DC019078-05