Brain surgery patients help scientists decode the sense of smell
NCT ID NCT07386236
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at how the brain recognizes different smells. Researchers will record brain activity from epilepsy patients who are already undergoing brain surgery. Participants will smell various odors and rate what they perceive. The goal is to find patterns in brain signals that correspond to odor identity, which could improve our understanding of the olfactory system.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal how the brain processes smells, potentially aiding future treatments for smell disorders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage observational study with only 28 participants. It is not testing any treatment, so direct medical benefits are unlikely.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Northwestern University
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States