Sensory Study: Taste and Tongue Biology

NCT05985928 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 2587R21DC018906
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 121
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Healthy Adults

Keywords

sweet; genetics; gene expression; dietary intake; psychophysics

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 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)

  Day 1 (single time-point)

• Gene expression and sweet taste liking

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

  Day 1 (single time-point)

• Gene expression and dietary intake

  The relative gene level expression of sweet taste receptors and relationship with self-reported dietary intake of sweet foods and beverages

  Day 1 (single time-point)

• Gene expression and sweet liker status

  The relative gene level expression of sweet taste receptors and relationship with the self-reported liking of a variety of sweet foods and beverages

  Day 1 (single time-point)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Genetics and sweet taste perception

  Day 1 (single time-point)

• Genetics and sweet taste liking

  Day 1 (single time-point)

• Genetics and sweet liker status

  Day 1 (single time-point)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 45 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adults, over the age of 18, able to provide consent in English, able to complete survey on an electronic device

You may qualify if:

• between 18 and 45 years old,
• have no tongue or cheek piercings,
• not a user of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes (within the last year),
• no known defects in taste or smell,
• not pregnant or breastfeeding,
• no history of chronic pain in the mouth,
• not taking any prescription pain medication,
• not taking any blood thinners,
• no history of cancer or cancer treatment,
• not diabetic or restricting intake of sugars for medical reasons, under the direction of a physician or healthcare provider
• willing to undergo the Fungiform Papillae biopsy procedure
• willing to provide salivary DNA
• Not currently experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
• Not recently diagnosed (in the last 30 days) with COVID-19
• No history of high blood pressure

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Massachusetts, Amherst: lead
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

saliva, tissue

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 13, 2023
• First Posted: August 14, 2023
• Study Start: March 20, 2023
• Primary Completion: April 20, 2025
• Study Completion: May 20, 2025
• Last Updated: August 5, 2025

Record last verified: 2023-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: Data will be available following publication of results.
• Access Criteria: Individuals can access the following signing form from IRB.

Locations

US (1)