We are recruiting healthy volunteers, age 18-65, for a 4-visit study designed to test whether brief non-invasive brain stimulation, called transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS), changes how adults process pictures and odors. In addition to 3 tFUS sessions, the study procedures also include one 30-minute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session and four 1-hour encephalography (EEG) sessions during which we will measure brain structure and function. Each of the 4 visits last about 2-3 hours and should occur over a 2-4-week time period. Compensation is available to those that qualify.

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. Our 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.

EEG Substudy:

Long COVID syndrome has been associated with cognitive impairment and may be related to affected emotional regulation. This study will use a electroencephalography (EEG) to examine how the body and brain responses to emotional cues in participants who are currently undergoing treatment for COVID-related smell loss. Participation will aid in the understanding of how emotional processing in long COVID is impacted by treatment for related smell loss.

Blood Analysis Substudy:
Alzheimer's Disease can be precedented by other clinical disorders or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Due to the cognitive deficits that can affect those with Long COVID, this sub study will use a blood sample to investigate if there are blood based biomarkers for Alzheimer's in those who report Long COVID symptoms.