Olfactory Function and Model-Based Behavior in People Living With HIV and SUD (NCT07637669) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Olfactory Function and Model-Based Behavior in People Living With HIV and SUD
United States120 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
Background:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can affect areas of the brain that control thinking ability. These same areas of the brain also control the sense of smell. HIV infection is common in people with substance use disorder (SUD). SUD also affects thinking ability. Researchers want to learn more about the connection between the sense of smell and decision-making ability in people with HIV, SUD, or both.
Objective:
To test the sense of smell in people with HIV and/or SUD and how they make choices based on odors.
Eligibility:
People aged 18 to 65 years with any of these: (1) HIV, (2) SUD, (3) both HIV and SUD, or (4) neither SUD nor HIV.
Design:
Participants will have 2 visits. Each visit will last 3 to 5 hours.
In visit 1, participants will have a blood draw and a saliva swab. They will answer questions about their health, sleep habits, food intake, and substance use. They will have smell tests:
They will smell scented sticks and answer questions about them. They will be blindfolded for some tests.
They will perform tasks on a computer. They will look at pictures and smell pleasant food odors, such as chocolate cake or pizza. Smells will be delivered using a nasal mask. Their sniffing and breathing will be measured. They may also be exposed to odor-free air. They will eat food that corresponds to one of the food odors they smelled.
In visit 2, participants will do a saliva swab and a different computer task that involves odors. They will also have tests of their attention and memory. Participants may opt to have an imaging scan of the brain.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
HIV positive.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) other than Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) or Tobacco Use Disorder (TUD).
Exclusion criteria
HIV positive.
Unable to undergo MRI scanning due to certain metallic or magnetic devices or implants in the body, or claustrophobia.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This study is looking at smell function and decision-making patterns in people living with HIV who also have a substance use disorder — how might participating in tests like these give my care team any useful information about how my brain health is doing?
2Since this trial isn't recruiting yet, how long might it realistically be before it opens, and is there anything I should be doing in the meantime to address my HIV or substance use treatment?
3The study seems to be measuring things rather than testing a new treatment — does that mean there's no direct therapeutic benefit for me as a participant, and what would my involvement actually look like day-to-day?
4Given that this is listed as Phase NA, which often means it's an observational or behavioral study rather than a drug trial, what does my doctor think about how findings on olfactory function and decision-making could eventually influence treatment approaches for people with both HIV and SUD?
5Are there any standard-of-care treatments for my substance use disorder or HIV management that my doctor thinks I should prioritize pursuing now, rather than waiting to see if this study opens and whether I might be a good fit for it?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.