Taste Physiology in Healthy, Normal-weight Volunteers

Condition(s) targeted: Exploratory Behavior

Intervention: Single intragastric instillation of 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement); Single intragastric instillation of 2 g citric acid in 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement); Single intragastric instillation of 2 g salt in 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement); Single intragastric instillation of 0.017 g quinine in 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement); Single intragastric instillation of 1 g monosodium glutamate in 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement); Single intragastric instillation of 25 g glucose in 200 mL tap water via nasogastric tube (Dietary Supplement)

Phase: N/A

Status: Completed

Sponsored by: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Christoph Beglinger, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Taste physiology describes five main taste qualities in humans: sweet, sour, salty, umami and bitter. The receptors found on the tongue are also found in the entire gut. The correlation of stimulation of these gut receptors and brain activity has not yet been examined. The objectives are to investigate the effect of different taste substances on i) regional brain activity and ii) satiation peptide release.

Official title: Taste Physiology in Healthy, Normal-weight Volunteers

Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Primary outcome: regional brain activity assessed by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Secondary outcome:

gastrointestinal satiation peptide secretion

glucose and insulin secretion

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 45 Years. Gender(s): Male.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- right-handed healthy males

- Body-mass index of < 25

- Age 18-45 years

- no drugs

- non-smoking

Exclusion Criteria:

- Smoking

- Substance abuse

- Regular intake of medications (except for oral contraceptives)

- Medical or psychiatric illness, especially: diabetes, pace-maker, claustrophobia

- History of gastrointestinal disorders

- Food allergies, glutamate intolerance

- Body piercings that cannot be removed

University Hospital, Basel CH-4031, Switzerland

Starting date: March 2013
Last updated: September 30, 2014