Olfactory Training for Mild Cognitive Impairment
(OTMCI Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
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.
Who Is on the Research Team?
Jeffrey N Motter, PhD
Principal Investigator
Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for individuals aged 55-89 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), who have memory or other cognitive complaints and score below certain levels on a memory test. They must have an informant to provide updates on their functioning.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants undergo Olfactory Memory Training or Visual Memory Training for 3 months
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in cognitive, olfactory, and functional measures
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Olfactory Training
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Lead Sponsor
Jeffrey Motter
Lead Sponsor
Alzheimer's Association
Collaborator