Sensory Study: Taste and Tongue Biology

University of Massachusetts, Amherst121 enrolled

Overview

Researchers will investigate the correlation between a) self-reported dietary intake of foods and beverages, b) intensity of sucrose stimuli, and c) liking rating of sweet stimuli, with the relative expression of the taste receptor genes from human fungiform papillae (TAS1R2 and TAS1R3). \* This research will provide new information on how sweet taste perception is regulated. * The hypothesis: Greater dietary consumption of sugar and sweet foods is associated with reduced expression of the sweet taste receptors. * The results of this study could help to identify pathways to help modify sweet taste perception by uncovering this mechanism. Participants will sample solutions prepared with sweet ingredients, provide salivary DNA, and collect fungiform papillae. This will allow researchers and investigators to compare the relationship between the sweetness of stimuli, genetic differences in sweet taste receptors, and expression levels of sweet taste receptor genes.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

121

Conditions

Healthy Adults

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. between 18 and 45 years old, 2. have no tongue or cheek piercings, 3. not a user of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes (within the last year), 4. no known defects in taste or smell, 5. not pregnant or breastfeeding, 6. no history of chronic pain in the mouth, 7. not taking any prescription pain medication, 8. not taking any blood thinners, 9. no history of cancer or cancer treatment, 10. not diabetic or restricting intake of sugars for medical reasons, under the direction of a physician or healthcare provider 11. willing to undergo the Fungiform Papillae biopsy procedure 12. willing to provide salivary DNA 13. Not currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms 14. Not recently diagnosed (in the last 30 days) with COVID-19 15. No history of high blood pressure Exclusion Criteria: \-

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Gene expression and sweet taste perception

The relative level of gene expression of sweet taste receptors (TAS1R2 and TAS1R3) and relationship with sweet taste perception (gLMS ratings of sampled sucrose)