Actively Recruiting
Olfactory Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Led by Jeffrey Motter · Updated on 2026-03-19
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
138 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
J
Jeffrey Motter
Lead Sponsor
A
Alzheimer's Association
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Sense of smell tends to decline in individuals with early Alzheimer's disease, typically earlier than when other senses and thinking abilities begin to decline. Memory for new odors is particularly diminished in these individuals. Existing treatments for AD do not improve these symptoms. A targeted treatment for improving sense of smell, called 'Olfactory Training', has been used to improve sense of smell in people with various forms of smell loss, though it is not known whether it can improve smell abilities and thinking abilities in patients who are at high risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial with patients who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This is an early phase of memory loss that is worse than normal aging and may precede Alzheimer's disease. Patients will be randomized to either olfactory memory training or visual memory training for 3 months, with a final follow-up visit at 6 months. This study will attempt to determine if olfactory training is a useful for improving smell abilities, thinking abilities, and everyday functioning by examining change in these outcomes over time.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Olfactory Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 55 to 89 years at the time of consent
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 17 or higher
- Subjective cognitive complaints such as memory or language difficulties
- Meets criteria for mild cognitive impairment (early or late) based on memory test scores adjusted for education level
- Has an informant who contacts the participant at least weekly to provide information about functioning
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of dementia of any type
- Neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, or other focal neurologic diseases
- Current diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, or substance use disorder
- Unstable or untreated major depression or active suicidality
- Acute severe unstable medical illness; acutely ill cancer patients excluded
- Participation in another cognitive enhancing therapeutic clinical trial
- Current upper respiratory infection, smoking more than one pack daily, or congenital anosmia
- Severe vision, hearing, or touch impairment preventing accurate cognitive testing
- History of severe or recent asthma, special sensitivities to volatile chemicals, pregnancy or nursing, or use of nasal medications other than nasal steroids
- Severe nasal symptoms interfering with smell (Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 score >21 or individual score = 5)
- Allergies to odors used in testing or olfactory training
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, United States, 10032
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jeffrey N Motter, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here