Sniff test: can odors travel to the brain?

NCT ID NCT06370845

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase study tests whether a natural odor, when inhaled, can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spine) within 30 minutes. 32 lean and obese adults who are already scheduled for a spinal tap will sniff either the odor or a placebo. The goal is simply to see if the odor molecules make it into the brain fluid, not to treat any condition.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Natural odour (inhalation)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that odors inhaled through the nose can reach the brain fluid, opening new paths for delivering therapies to the brain.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small study (32 people) that only checks if the odor appears in spinal fluid. It does not test any health benefit, and results may not apply to other odors or conditions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obesity obesity disorder Overweight

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Contacts and locations

Locations

University Hospital Basel
NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Basel, 4031, Switzerland
University Hospital of Basel
RECRUITING

Basel, 4031, Switzerland

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