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Experiments to Test How and Why the Sense of Smell Differs Between People
NCT00220038 · View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Study Summary
The ability to smell varies greatly between different individuals. Some people are unable to detect an odor that most people can smell. It is not known what causes these individual differences. Humans have about 1000 genes for odorant receptors that bind and detect odor molecules. It has been shown that some of these genes exist in two forms: a functional one and one that has been mutated and is therefore no longer functional. We think that people who can not smell a specific odor may carry the non-functional form of the gene for the receptor that detects the odor molecule. To test this hypothesis we want to find people who can not detect a specific smell and then compare their odorant receptor genes with those of people who can smell the odor.
Conditions Studied
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL smell tests
Study Locations (1)
New York
- Rockefeller University Hospital — New York
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 500 participants |
| Start Date | 2004-05 |
| Est. Completion | 2010-05 |
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Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗What the Registry Record Tells You About NCT00220038
The ClinicalTrials.gov registry entry for NCT00220038 describes a study currently listed as completed. It is categorized as an unspecified phase, which is the standard way researchers label where a study sits along the investigational pathway from early safety work through later efficacy and post-marketing evaluation. The registered enrollment target is 500 participants, a figure that helps gauge the scale of data the investigators plan to collect. The listed sponsor is Rockefeller University, which has 35 total studies on file at ClinicalTrials.gov, and sponsors are the parties responsible for study design, oversight, and regulatory filings.
The record links to 1 condition, with Specific Anosmias appearing as the primary indexed condition, and to 1 intervention — of which smell tests is the first listed. Interventions can include drugs, devices, procedures, behavioral programs, or observational arms, and each is tracked as a separate registry field so that downstream queries can filter accurately. When a trial lists multiple interventions, it usually reflects a multi-arm design or a comparison protocol rather than a single treatment being tested in isolation. The brief summary published in the registry is the clearest source of protocol intent and should be read before drawing conclusions from any sidebar tags.
Geographic footprint matters for practical reasons: NCT00220038 reports 1 study location spanning 1 distinct geographic area — top geographies include New York. A larger site network tends to correlate with broader recruitment capacity, but it does not imply anything about study quality, and site-level enrollment status can diverge from the overall registry status shown above. Every data point on this page comes from the public ClinicalTrials.gov dataset and is reproduced here for reference only; it is not a medical recommendation, an endorsement of the sponsor, or an invitation to enroll. Verify current status, eligibility criteria, and contact details directly at ClinicalTrials.gov, and discuss any participation decision with your own healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT00220038 about?
NCT00220038 is a clinical study titled "Experiments to Test How and Why the Sense of Smell Differs Between People". The ability to smell varies greatly between different individuals. Some people are unable to detect an odor that most people can smell. It is not known what causes these individual differences. Humans have about 1000 genes for odorant receptors that bind and detect odor molecules. It has been shown ...
What is the current status of trial NCT00220038?
This trial is currently completed. The enrollment target is 500 participants. The study started on 2004-05. Estimated completion is 2010-05.
What conditions does trial NCT00220038 study?
This clinical trial studies the following conditions: Specific Anosmias. These conditions were identified from the trial registry and reflect the primary focus areas of the research.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT00220038?
The interventions under investigation include: smell tests (BEHAVIORAL). Each intervention is being evaluated for safety and efficacy as part of this clinical study.
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT00220038?
This trial is sponsored by Rockefeller University, which has 35 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The sponsor is responsible for the study's design, funding, and regulatory compliance.
Where is trial NCT00220038 being conducted?
This trial has 1 study location across New York. Contact the study sites directly through ClinicalTrials.gov for enrollment availability.
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