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SCENTinel: A Rapid Smell Test for COVID-19 Surveillance

Award Number: U01DC019578
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/21/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2025

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SCENTinel: A Rapid Smell Test for COVID-19 Surveillance - PROJECT SUMMARY Smell loss is a predominant symptom of COVID-19, and initial evidence based on self-reports suggests that chemosensory loss is a sensitive predictor of COVID-19 in the general population, more so than fever. However, given the natural lack of awareness of chemosensory changes, self-reports underestimate the true prevalence of smell loss in patients with COVID-19 by 20% compared to an objective test. Therefore, we propose testing and deploying a rapid and objective measure of smell ability, the SCENTinel test, inspired by the NIH Toolbox® Odor Identification Test that our team previously developed. SCENTinel is an inexpensive, and convenient smell test for COVID-19 surveillance of the population that quickly and easily assesses three smell loss factors: odor detection, odor intensity, and odor identification. It is designed for practical use in several contexts, including high-density areas such as community medical sites, universities, subacute care facilities, and both industrial and nonindustrial workplaces. Our multi-disciplinary team has expertise in understanding taste and smell, developing and validating chemosensory tests, as well as studying the broad symptomatology of COVID-19. The group is led by MPI Dalton from the Monell Chemical Senses Center, an expert in human olfaction and designing olfactory tests; MPI Parma from Temple University is an expert in COVID-19 smell loss, is the Chair of the Global Consortium for Chemosensory Research, and has expertise in conducting research in rapidly changing situations; Dr. Schalet and his team at Northwestern University and Dr. Chun and his team at Yale University, among the other established and interested partners (Fox subacute nursing homes, Hormel Food). Our team also includes the Director of Technology Transfer at the Monell Center, Dr. O’Leary, to explore potential partners and expand SCENTinel deployment nationwide. Dr. Reed from the Monell Chemical Senses Center will work directly with the Data Coordination Center, drawing on her experience in managing large shared NIH datasets. All will work closely with the NIH Project Scientist. This proposal aims to a) fine-tune SCENTinel’s ability to predict a positive COVID-19 diagnostic test; b) examine marginal smell loss as a sign of the earliest phases of COVID-19, before a positive diagnostic test; and c) assess the test’s psychometric validity with test-retest reliability measures and validation against the NIH Toolbox® Odor Identification Test. Together, these aims will establish a standardized protocol for use of SCENTinel as a rapid and objective smell test that can easily be incorporated into onsite COVID-19 testing centers, schools, and workplaces nationwide. Furthermore, it will provide key insights into early-onset chemosensory symptoms in relation to a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, providing a crucially needed means to contain the spread of COVID-19.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2023	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	3	2/26/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2026	2023	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	3	2/14/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2023	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	3	11/21/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $346,305 )
2023	2023	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	3	1/18/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$346,305
2023	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	2	10/24/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $346,305

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $384,721 )
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	1	12/3/2021	NEW	$0
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	003	1	1/27/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	005	1	9/28/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	004	1	4/5/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	001	1	12/15/2021	NEW	$0
2022	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	002	2	1/22/2022	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$384,721
														Subtotal = $384,721

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $502,671 )
2021	2021	MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER	3500 MARKET ST	PHILADELPHIA	PA	19104	PHILADELPHIA	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	1	12/21/2020	NEW	$502,671
														Subtotal = $502,671

Grand Total All Awards = $1,233,697

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SCENTinel: A Rapid Smell Test for COVID-19 Surveillance

Award Number: U01DC019578

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/21/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2025

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