Electrophysiological Representations of Odor Identity Study 2

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Odor Identity Ratings

In brief

To identify a neural representation of odor identity, it is necessary to dissociate molecular structure from perceptual identity/similarity. Whether the olfactory system employs a coding scheme in which the similarity between neural features is systematically related to perceptual similarity is unknown. Experiments for this aim will acquire perceptual responses while manipulating perceptual similarity. In Experiment 1A, we will examine features of neural responses during natural behavior of freely naming odors. In Experiment 1B, we will manipulate perceptual similarity with odor metamers and collect perceptual and neural data on each trial. Preliminary data suggest that the earliest, high-frequency components of the piriform response can optimally decode perceptual identity.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07386236

Run by

Northwestern University

People needed

28

Starts

2025-03-05

Expected to finish

2028-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-04

Who can join

Age: 12 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Ages 12 to 65, english speaker, patients undergoing brain surgery for treatment of medically intractable epilepsy

You may not qualify if…

• screening for history of smell or taste problems

Where it is running

• Northwestern University — Chicago, Illinois, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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