Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging Adults

NCT07660887 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: Pro001503565R01DC019078-05
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Olfactory Dysfunction

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Olfactory Function

  Olfactory Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification (TDI scores) using Sniffin' Sticks.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Olfactory Function Over Time

  Year 1 and year 2

• Patient-Reported Outcomes

  Baseline, Year 1 and year 2

Study Arms (1)

Older Adults With and Without Olfactory Dysfunction

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

Interventions

Clinical and Biomarker Assessments OTHER

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.

Older Adults With and Without Olfactory Dysfunction

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

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.

You may qualify if:

• Age: 50 years or older
• Ability to follow instructions and understand consent process in English
• Adequate visual, auditory, or motor functioning to complete items in the test battery or availability of assistance or assist devices to complete tasks

You may not qualify if:

• \- Vulnerable populations including prisoners or institutionalized individuals

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University of South Carolina: lead
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

MUSC

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Soler ZM, Gregoski MJ, Kohli P, LaPointe KA, Schlosser RJ. Development and validation of the four-item Concise Aging adults Smell Test to screen for olfactory dysfunction in older adults. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Mar;15(3):250-257. doi: 10.1002/alr.23476. Epub 2024 Oct 27.

  PMID: 39462307 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Rodney Schlosser, MD

CONTACT

18437927165; schlossr@musc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 27, 2026
• First Posted: June 22, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2027
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2032
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2032
• Last Updated: June 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)