Active clinical trials for "Olfaction Disorders"

Persistent smell loss that can include diminished or distorted smell function is a common symptom of long COVID syndrome. There are limited treatment options for long COVID-related smell loss. This study aims to determine the efficacy of two at-home treatments, smell training and non-invasive trigeminal nerve stimulation. This study requires participants to conduct daily at-home treatment sessions, attend three in-person study visits at the MUSC Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and complete electronic questionnaires over the 12-week trial, and again at the six-month timepoint. Participants in this trial may benefit directly with an improvement in sense of smell. However, participation may also help society more generally, as this study will provide new information about long COVID-related smell loss and its treatment.

Olfactory dysfunction is a defining symptom of COVID-19 infection. Studies have demonstrated improved olfaction in patients with post infectious olfactory dysfunction after an olfactory training (OT). The aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes of olfactory training (12 weeks) therapy in the treatment of persistent olfactory dysfunctions after COVID-19. Specially, we aim to compare the effectiveness of two different olfactory training (different odors) with a placebo group. A group will train themselves with 4 scents (rose, orange, clove and eucalyptus) and another group with 4 different scents (cheese, coffee, strawberries and lemon). The placebo group will train themselves with an odorless substance. Olfaction sensory evaluation will be performed by using different olfaction tests (Sniffin' Sticks and UPSIT) and complete questionnaires to assess olfactory perception and particularly parosmia and phantosmia.

Causes of olfactory dysfunction can be classified into conductive and sensorineural causes. Conductive causes are mainly due to structural nasal problem, which can be treated by nasal surgery Sensorineural causes included post-infection, post-head injury, post Head and Neck irradiation and other central nervous system diseases. Olfactory Training is well established treatment for sensorineural olfactory dysfunction in foreign countries. Olfactory Training by neurological chemosensory stimulation using aromatic substances delivered via electronic portable aromatic rehabilitation (EPAR) diffuser was proved to be effective treatment in COVID-19 related olfactory dysfunction in recent Hong Kong study. However, there is a lack of local study on the effect of Olfactory Training in other non-COVID-19 sensorineural causes of olfactory dysfunction in Hong Kong population.

This study will investigate the efficacy of oral gabapentin in olfactory improvement following Covid-19- associated olfactory dysfunction. This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

SARS COV-19 has resulted in prolonged olfactory dysfunction in many patients. The investigators aim to compare the effect of topical platelet-rich plasma (test) vs saline (placebo) in patients with covid-related post-viral olfactory dysfunction.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder; with the increasing life expectancy, about 80% of DS adults reach age 65 years old. Early Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of death within this population. DS individuals already show AD neuropathology by the age of 30, while it becomes clinically recognized in their late forties. DS subjects also exhibit olfaction defects in adulthood. To date, there is no treatment available for the cognitive or olfactory defects in DS. The development of an effective treatment targeting cognitive dysfunction in DS adolescents/adults would be warranted. GnRH, a decapeptide secreted by hypothalamic neurons is the pilot light of reproduction in all mammals. Pulsatile GnRH acts on the gonadotrophs via the GnRH receptor (GNRHR) in the pituitary gland to stimulate LH and FSH, which themselves will act on the gonads to produce gametes and steroids. However, GNRHR are also expressed in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, habenula, olfactory structures, and adrenal gland, suggesting that GnRH may have a role beyond reproduction. Recently, GnRH has been shown to be involved in the process of ageing and lifespan control. Notably, in murine models, GnRH acts as an anti-ageing factor, independent of sex hormones. While ageing is characterized by hypothalamic inflammation and diminished neurogenesis, particularly in the hypothalamus and the hippocampus, GnRH was able to promote adult neurogenesis. The regulation of GnRH secretion is complex and involves hormonal, neuronal input, and environmental factors. Prévot et al. recently explored cognition within the Ts65Dn model and showed an age-dependent loss of the ability to recognize new objects. Also, these mice exhibit defects in olfaction. Given the role of GnRH in anti-aging mice model, pulsatile GnRH or continuous GnRH infusion (leading to desensitization of the GNRHR) were given to the Ts65Dn mice for two weeks. Amazingly, pulsatile but not continuous GnRH therapy was able to recover cognitive and olfaction defects.

The current study will be a pilot study for a randomized controlled trial conducted on patients recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Menoufia Faculty of Medicine To evaluate the effect of vitamin D nasal drops in the treatment of post COVID 19 parosmia

Chronic olfactory dysfunction, both hyposmia and parosmia, from the COVID-19 pandemic is a growing public health crisis, affecting up to 1.2 million people in the United States. Olfactory dysfunction significantly impacts one's quality of life by decreasing the enjoyment of foods, creating environmental safety concerns, and affecting one's ability to perform specific jobs. Olfactory loss is also an independent predictor of anxiety, depression, and mortality. Recent research suggests that parosmia, more so than hyposmia, can increase anxiety, depression, and even suicidal ideation. While the pandemic has advanced the scientific community's interest in combating the burgeoning health crisis, few effective treatments currently exist for olfactory dysfunction. Persistent symptoms after an acute COVID-19 infection, or "Long COVID" symptoms, have been hypothesized to result from sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. Stellate ganglion blocks have been proposed to treat this hyper-sympathetic activation by blocking the sympathetic neuronal firing and resetting the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Studies before the COVID-19 pandemic have supported a beneficial effect of stellate ganglion blocks on olfactory dysfunction, and recent news reports and a published case series have described a dramatic benefit in both olfactory function and other long COVID symptoms in patients receiving stellate ganglion blocks. A previous pilot study using stellate ganglion blocks of 20 participants with persistent COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction resulted in modest improvements in subjective olfactory function, smell identification, and olfactory-specific quality of life, but it lacked a control group. Therefore, we propose a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of a stellate ganglion block with Lidocaine versus saline injection in up to 50 participants with persistent COVID-19-associated olfactory dysfunction.

The current study will be a pilot study for a randomized controlled trial conducted on patients recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Menoufia Faculty of Medicine To evaluate the effect of ivermectin nasal drops in the treatment of post COVID 19 parosmia

The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of a therapy combining olfactory training, corticoids, and phototherapy improves the PROMS compared to the use of olfactory training and corticosteroids only. To accomplish this goal the study will consist of 40 participants. The participants must present olfactory dysfunction for at least 4 weeks after a coronavirus-19 infection. Furthermore, to be eligible each participant will need a polymerase chain reaction test with positive results for coronavirus-19.