Human Olfactory Amygdala FunctionNCT07060651
Characterization of Human Olfactory Amygdala Subregions Exp3
A study testing Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activity in people with Human Olfactory Amygdala Function, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
We aim to better understand the functions of the subregions of the human amygdala that receive direct projections from the olfactory bulb Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Human Olfactory Amygdala Function
- What is being tested?
- Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activity
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 12 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2022to 1 Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- older than 18 years of age
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Northwestern human olfaction lab
Chicago, Illinois, 60611
Research Study Assistant, 3125034437
About this study
Official title: Characterization of Human Olfactory Amygdala Subregions Experiment 3
We aim to better understand the functions of the subregions of the human amygdala that receive direct projections from the olfactory bulb
Read the detailed description
The human amygdala is part of primary olfactory cortex, in that it receives direct monosynaptic input from the olfactory bulb1-4. This suggests an important role for the amygdala in olfactory processing, yet the anatomical and functional properties of olfactory inputs to the human amygdala are largely unexplored. The overarching goal of this proposal is to elucidate the role of amygdala subregions in human olfactory processing.
The olfactory bulb projects in parallel to multiple cortical areas, each of which is thought to play a unique role in olfactory processing5-10. Within the amygdala, several distinct subregions receive direct, monosynaptic bulb input, suggesting distinct roles, yet their olfactory functions are not fully understood. Rodent studies have begun to explore potential roles for these subregions in olfactory-guided social and approach/avoid behaviors11- 15, with the first-ever recordings of the posterolateral cortical amygdala accomplished recently16. However, our understanding of these areas is still incomplete. Notably, most rodent studies on the olfactory amygdala subregions have focused on the accessory olfactory system, which humans lack. Furthermore, most human studies have not considered olfactory amygdala subregions separately17-21. This is a critical consideration, both because the majority of amygdala subregions do not receive olfactory inputs and because those that do likely play distinct roles in olfactory processing. These roles cannot be understood without analyzing the subregions separately. Thus, there is a strong need for more research into the role of the human amygdala subregions in olfaction. Importantly, olfactory amygdala subregions have been implicated in SUDEP22-26, the leading cause of death in temporal lobe epilepsy. Understanding the anatomical and functional properties of these regions is therefore of clinical importance as well.
This research will study human olfactory amygdala subregions using a multi-faceted, rigorous approach. It will combine specialized high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging, high-resolution amygdala-targeted fMRI, rare direct electrical stimulation of the human amygdala (purely clinically prescribed) and human psychophysics, each suited to address a different question.
This experiment will assess the necessity of olfactory amygdala subregions in distinct olfactory behaviors. To assess the necessity of olfactory amygdala subregions in distinct olfactory behaviors , this experiment will use intracranial electrophysiology methods to record directly from, and deliver electrical stimulation directly into, human olfactory amygdala sub-regions during olfactory tasks. This method provides direct recordings of neural activity, and allows disruption of neural activity to test the necessity of specific regions for particular behaviors. This experiment will character effects of electrical stimulation on olfactory approach/avoid behaviors.
- Conditions
- Human Olfactory Amygdala Function
- Being tested
- Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activityOther
Present odors to participants while recording brain activity
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| record and stimulate brain activity while smelling odors | Experimental | Record and stimulate brain activity while smelling odors Receives: Other: Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activity |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Olfactory perception ratings using visual analog scale
We will assess the change in olfactory ratings of odor stimuli due to electrical stimulation of the amygdala. The scale will be in arbutrary units based on the location of the cursor on the screen
Measured: 5 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Jul 2025
- Study start1 Jan 2022
- Primary completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Human Olfactory Amygdala FunctionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Northwestern UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Christina Zelano, Northwestern University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07060651
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- STU00201349-3
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 22 Dec 2022
- Last updated
- 11 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All data will be made freely available on our lab website and/or GitHub page. All raw data will be available
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Characterization of Human Olfactory Amygdala Subregions Experiment 3
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07060651
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- STU00201349-3
- Conditions
- Human Olfactory Amygdala Function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 12 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Northwestern UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 11 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
We aim to better understand the functions of the subregions of the human amygdala that receive direct projections from the olfactory bulb
Detailed description
The human amygdala is part of primary olfactory cortex, in that it receives direct monosynaptic input from the olfactory bulb1-4. This suggests an important role for the amygdala in olfactory processing, yet the anatomical and functional properties of olfactory inputs to the human amygdala are largely unexplored. The overarching goal of this proposal is to elucidate the role of amygdala subregions in human olfactory processing.
The olfactory bulb projects in parallel to multiple cortical areas, each of which is thought to play a unique role in olfactory processing5-10. Within the amygdala, several distinct subregions receive direct, monosynaptic bulb input, suggesting distinct roles, yet their olfactory functions are not fully understood. Rodent studies have begun to explore potential roles for these subregions in olfactory-guided social and approach/avoid behaviors11- 15, with the first-ever recordings of the posterolateral cortical amygdala accomplished recently16. However, our understanding of these areas is still incomplete. Notably, most rodent studies on the olfactory amygdala subregions have focused on the accessory olfactory system, which humans lack. Furthermore, most human studies have not considered olfactory amygdala subregions separately17-21. This is a critical consideration, both because the majority of amygdala subregions do not receive olfactory inputs and because those that do likely play distinct roles in olfactory processing. These roles cannot be understood without analyzing the subregions separately. Thus, there is a strong need for more research into the role of the human amygdala subregions in olfaction. Importantly, olfactory amygdala subregions have been implicated in SUDEP22-26, the leading cause of death in temporal lobe epilepsy. Understanding the anatomical and functional properties of these regions is therefore of clinical importance as well.
This research will study human olfactory amygdala subregions using a multi-faceted, rigorous approach. It will combine specialized high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging, high-resolution amygdala-targeted fMRI, rare direct electrical stimulation of the human amygdala (purely clinically prescribed) and human psychophysics, each suited to address a different question.
This experiment will assess the necessity of olfactory amygdala subregions in distinct olfactory behaviors. To assess the necessity of olfactory amygdala subregions in distinct olfactory behaviors , this experiment will use intracranial electrophysiology methods to record directly from, and deliver electrical stimulation directly into, human olfactory amygdala sub-regions during olfactory tasks. This method provides direct recordings of neural activity, and allows disruption of neural activity to test the necessity of specific regions for particular behaviors. This experiment will character effects of electrical stimulation on olfactory approach/avoid behaviors.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| record and stimulate brain activity while smelling odors | Experimental | Other: Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activityRecord and stimulate brain activity while smelling odors |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- older than 18 years of age
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activityPresent odors to participants while recording brain activity | Other | record and stimulate brain activity while smelling odors |
Primary outcome
Olfactory perception ratings using visual analog scale
Time frame: 5 years
We will assess the change in olfactory ratings of odor stimuli due to electrical stimulation of the amygdala. The scale will be in arbutrary units based on the location of the cursor on the screen
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All data will be made freely available on our lab website and/or GitHub page. All raw data will be available
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Present odors to participants while recording and stimulating brain activity in people with Human Olfactory Amygdala Function, run by Northwestern University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Christina Zelano, PhD (312-503-4437, c-zelano@northwestern.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Olfactory perception ratings using visual analog scale (time frame: 5 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2026.