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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Quantifying Cognitive Decrements Caused by Cranial Radiotherapy
Published on: October 18, 2011
Gustatory impairment in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation
Natasha Mirza1, Mitchell Machtay, Pamela A Devine
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Natasha.mirza@uphs.upenn.edu
Objectives:
To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure.
Research Design:
Prospective, longitudinal study.
Methodology:
Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation.
Results:
Relative to controls, patients had lower taste identification test scores for bitter, salty, and sour tastes. Sour taste also showed a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03). Taste pores were decreased in the irradiated group, with a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03).
Conclusion:
Head and neck cancer patients have decreased taste function, and radiation adversely affected sour taste and taste pores.
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