Clinical Research Directory

Study of Chemosensory Enhancement Through Neuromodulation Training (SCENT for Long COVID)

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.

Prospective Registery of Smell/Taste Clinic Ear/Nose/Throat

Smell/taste disorders are common conditions with a significant impact on quality of life. In September 2021, a specific consultation for patients with smell and taste disorders was initiated at the ENT-HNS (ear, nose, and throat, head and neck surgery) department of UZ Leuven, partly in light of post-COVID-19 related smell disorders. With this observational ambidirectional study, the investigators aim to better map smell/taste disorders in the Belgian/Flemish population. Using standard-of-care diagnostic tests and structured questionnaires, the investigators strive to gain more insight into the severity, impact, and progression/prognosis of smell/taste disorders.

Sinus Disease in Young Children With Cystic Fibrosis

This is a prospective, observational study examining the impact of highly effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and olfactory dysfunction (OD) in young children with cystic fibrosis (YCwCF). This study involves two groups: children 2-8 years old, inclusive at initial visit, receiving highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT), and a control group of children 2-8 years old, inclusive at initial visit, not receiving HEMT. Outcomes will include sinus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, olfactory tests, and quality of life surveys obtained over a two-year period.

Olfactory Training in Various Populations

To date, there is no validated pharmacotherapy for olfactory disorders. Interestingly, olfactory training - the intentional exposure to odorants for the purposes of retraining the sense of smell - has shown success with as many as 28% of subjects over the course of 12 weeks.

Olfactory Outcomes of Dupilumab Treatment for Nasal Polyposis

The study aims to investigate the olfactory TDI score (Threshold, Discrimination, Identification) using the Sniffin' sticks test for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) on dupilumab. Twenty-seven adult patients will be followed up during the treatment with dupilumab on three visits to the Otolaryngology Clinic (Baseline, 3 months and 6 months). The primary endpoint will be the TDI score. Nasal polyp score, Quality of Olfactory Disorders - negative symptoms (QOD-NS symptom scores), SNOT-22 will be secondary endpoints.

The Efficacy of Olfactory Training Intervention on Olfactory and Other Non-motor Symptoms in PD

To explore the efficacy of olfactory training on olfactory and other non-motor symptoms in PD.

Oral and Olfactory Complications of Recovered COVID-19 Patients

This cohort study aims to investigate the long-standing chemosensory disorders and oral manifestation after recovery of the COVID-19 illness. A correlation between the long-standing symptoms and the COVID-19 severity grade will be very important to understand and clarify the aetiology of these symptoms.