Back to Search Start Over

Effects of Acute Tryptophan Depletion on Human Taste Perception.

Authors :
Smith SA
Trotter PD
McGlone FP
Walker SC
Source :
Chemical senses [Chem Senses] 2021 Jan 01; Vol. 46.
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Taste perception has been reported to vary with changes in affective state. Distortions of taste perception, including blunted recognition thresholds, intensity, and hedonic ratings have been identified in those suffering from depressive disorders. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter implicated in the etiology of anxiety and depression; systemic and peripheral manipulations of serotonin signaling have previously been shown to modulate taste detection. However, the specific effects of central serotonin function on taste processing have not been widely investigated. Here, in a double-blind placebo-controlled study, acute tryptophan depletion was used to investigate the effect of reduced central serotonin function on taste perception. Twenty-five female participants aged 18-28 attended the laboratory on two occasions at least 1 week apart. On one visit, they received a tryptophan depleting drink and on the other, a control drink was administered. Approximately, 6 h after drink consumption, they completed a taste perception task which measured detection thresholds and supra-threshold perceptions of the intensity and pleasantness of four basic tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, and salt). While acutely reducing central levels of serotonin had no effect on the detection thresholds of sweet, bitter, or sour tastes, it significantly enhanced detection of salt. For supra-threshold stimuli, acutely reduced serotonin levels significantly enhanced the perceived intensity of both bitter and sour tastes and blunted pleasantness ratings of bitter quinine. These findings show manipulation of central serotonin levels can modulate taste perception and are consistent with previous reports that depletion of central serotonin levels enhances neural and behavioral responsiveness to aversive signals.<br /> (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1464-3553
Volume :
46
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Chemical senses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33277648
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjaa078