Study of Taste Deficits

NCT00022997 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 01023001-DC-0230
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 450
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will explore the genetics of taste and taste deficits. The sense of taste plays a crucial role in food choices, allowing people to identify beneficial foods (those with high caloric value, which are typically sweet) and foods likely to be toxic (usually bitter substances). The loss of sense of taste in older people plays a role in decreased appetite and poor nutrition. Taste deficits may adversely affect people in ways that are not well understood. This study will examine why some people (about one-fourth of all people in the United States) cannot taste a substance called phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). The inability to taste PTC is due to inherited factors that are not yet clear. Individuals age 18 and older who can taste PTC and individuals who cannot taste PTC may be eligible for this study. Participants will taste a number of liquid solutions until they find one with a clear taste. Then they will taste another group of solutions and decide which ones have that taste and which have no taste. Finally, they will taste a third group of solutions until they find one with a different taste. About 2 tablespoons of blood will be drawn from participants for genetic tests related to the sense of taste.

Conditions

Taste Disorder; Healthy

Keywords

Phenylthiocarbamide; Phlebotomy; Chemoreceptors; Population Associations; Non-Tasters; Taste; Healthy Volunteer; HV; Normal Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Individuals age 18 years and older.
• Subjects must be medically healthy, with no cognitive impairment or physical swallowing inability or impairment
• Must be able to provide informed consent
• Must be able to read and understand English.
• NIH employees or staff may participate in this study if they meet the eligibility criteria.

You may not qualify if:

• Cannot be younger than 18 years of age
• Subjects with suspected or known cognitive impairment or physical swallowing inability or impairment
• Subjects who are unable to provide informed consent
• Subjects who are taking any pyschoactive medications or medications that affect their nervous system, such as antidepressants or anti-psychotics.
• Subjects who have known problems with these sense of taste
• Subjects who are currently using tobacco

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Reddy BM, Rao DC. Phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity revisited: complete sorting test supports residual family resemblance. Genet Epidemiol. 1989;6(3):413-21. doi: 10.1002/gepi.1370060304.

  PMID: 2753351 BACKGROUND

• Adler E, Hoon MA, Mueller KL, Chandrashekar J, Ryba NJ, Zuker CS. A novel family of mammalian taste receptors. Cell. 2000 Mar 17;100(6):693-702. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80705-9.

  PMID: 10761934 BACKGROUND

• Conneally PM, Dumont-Driscoll M, Huntzinger RS, Nance WE, Jackson CE. Linkage relations of the loci for Kell and phenylthiocarbamide taste sensitivity. Hum Hered. 1976;26(4):267-71. doi: 10.1159/000152813.

  PMID: 976995 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Taste Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sensation Disorders; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Dennis T Drayna, Ph.D.

  National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 17, 2001
• First Posted: August 20, 2001
• Study Start: August 16, 2001
• Study Completion: June 4, 2019
• Last Updated: June 6, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-06-04

Locations

US (1)