Sniff test: scientists probe whether scents enter the Brain's inner sanctum
NCT ID NCT06370845
First seen May 20, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This early-phase study tests whether a natural odor, when inhaled, can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 32 lean and obese adults. Participants inhale either the odor or a placebo, then a CSF sample is taken within 30 minutes. The goal is simply to see if the odor molecules travel from the nose into the brain's fluid, which could help explain how smells affect the brain.
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University Hospital Basel
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGBasel, 4031, Switzerland
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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University Hospital of Basel
RECRUITINGBasel, 4031, Switzerland
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
natural odor (inhalation)
What this could lead to
If successful, this could help scientists understand how smells enter the brain and may open new paths for studying obesity and brain function.
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 treatment or health benefit, so results may not lead to any practical application.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.