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Related Experiment Videos

Taste function in methadone-maintained opioid-dependent men.

Anna Bogucka-Bonikowska1, Helena Baran-Furga, Karina Chmielewska

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, ul. Sobieskiego 9, PL-02957 Warsaw, Poland.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|August 9, 2002
PubMed
Summary

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Opioid dependence is linked to higher sugar intake, but this study found no differences in taste perception between opioid-dependent and control groups. Altered taste reactivity likely doesn't explain dietary changes in addiction.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Addiction Research
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Opioid dependence is frequently associated with increased consumption of refined sugars.
  • Altered taste reactivity is a potential mechanism underlying this dietary association.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if taste perception differences explain increased sugar intake in opioid-dependent individuals.
  • To compare taste responses to sweet, bitter, sour, and salty solutions between methadone-maintained men and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of taste reactivity (intensity and pleasantness) to sucrose, quinine, citric acid, and sodium chloride solutions.
  • Assessment of 'sweet-liker' proportions in both opioid-dependent and control groups.
  • Inquiry into sugar addition to caffeinated beverages.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in the rated intensity or pleasantness of tested taste solutions between groups.
  • The proportion of individuals preferring high sucrose concentrations ('sweet-likers') was similar in both groups.
  • Methadone-maintained subjects reported adding more sugar to beverages, despite similar taste perceptions.

Conclusions:

  • Taste reactivity changes do not appear to be the primary driver for altered dietary choices in opioid-dependent individuals.
  • The association between opioid dependence and increased sugar consumption may be mediated by factors other than taste perception.