Hypothalamic circuits regulating appetite and energy homeostasis: pathways to obesity.
Katharina Timper, Jens C Brüning
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28592656Actively Recruiting
Early Phase 1
Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
ID06370845
Abundance of a Natural Odour in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid After Olfactory Exposure - the OLFO-Brain Study
Led by University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland · Updated on 2026-05-04
32
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
8 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to study the presence of a natural odour in the cerebrospinal fluid of both obese and lean adults following inhalation. The trial includes participants who are scheduled for a routine lumbar puncture as part of standard medical care. Researchers want to compare how this odour shows up in the fluid and in the blood before and after exposure, focusing on differences between lean and obese individuals. Participants will be randomly assigned to inhale either 50 microliters of a natural odour or a placebo (propylene glycol) using a nasal mini-inhaler over 15 minutes. The study is single-blinded, meaning participants do not know which inhaler they receive. Both treatment groups undergo the inhalation procedure before the lumbar puncture. During the study, blood samples will be collected immediately before and within 30 minutes after inhalation. The main measurement is detecting the natural odour in the cerebrospinal fluid at baseline. Researchers will also assess changes in the odour's abundance in blood and compare results between obese and lean participants. The trial expects participant involvement around the time of their scheduled lumbar puncture.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
ABUNDANCE of A NATURAL ODOUR in HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID AFTER OLFACTORY EXPOSURE - the OLFO-Brain Study
Who Can Participate
Age: 18Years - 60Years
All Genders
Healthy Volunteers
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 60 years
- Written informed consent
- Scheduled for routine lumbar puncture
- For obese group: BMI 30 kg/m2 or higher
- No diagnosis of diabetes for obese group
- For lean group: BMI between 18 and 25 kg/m2
You will not qualify if you...
- Known allergy to the natural odour
- Acute upper respiratory tract infection or acute/chronic sinusitis
- Past or present surgery of nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, pituitary, or frontal brain
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Severe chronic diseases such as severe heart failure, active cancer, or severe kidney impairment
- Inability to understand study procedures or provide consent
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
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Your Study Journey
Screening
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Treatment
Duration - Single session on study day
Participants inhale 50 uL of a natural odour or placebo via a nasal septum mini-inhaler over 15 minutes.
1 visit (in-person)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
University Hospital Basel
Basel, Switzerland, 4031
Not Yet Recruiting
2
University Hospital of Basel
Basel, Switzerland, 4031
Actively Recruiting
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Research Team
K
Katharina Timper, Prof. Dr. med.
I
Isabel M Hofer
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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