An observational study in Olfactory Dysfunction, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 50 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-22.
Sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina · Observational
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.
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.
Medical University of South Carolina is the lead sponsor of 852 studies on the registry; 165 are open to participants now.
Of its 128 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 101 (79%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older recruited from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and surrounding community, including clinic patients and individuals responding to advertisements, who may have normal olfactory function or varying degrees of olfactory dysfunction.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Vulnerable populations including prisoners or institutionalized individuals
Adults aged 50 years and older enrolled in a prospective cohort study assessing olfactory function, cognition, biomarkers, and quality of life, with annual follow-up. Participants will be classified post hoc into olfactory phenotypes based on testing results.
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.
Olfactory Function
Olfactory Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification (TDI scores) using Sniffin' Sticks.
Time frame: Baseline
Change in Olfactory Function Over Time
Longitudinal assessment of changes in olfactory function to identify decline over time.. Change in TDI scores (threshold, discrimination, identification)
Time frame: Year 1 and year 2
Patient-Reported Outcomes
Patient-reported measure assessing quality of life using QOD questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline, Year 1 and year 2
Plan to share: No — Protection of individual privacy
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Medical University of South Carolina