[Bilateral ageusia caused by right thalamic infarction].

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Cerebral infarction, particularly in the thalamus, can lead to diverse neurological deficits.
• Thalamic stroke is often associated with sensory disturbances, but its specific role in taste remains less understood.

Observation:

• A 58-year-old male presented with gradual onset left hemiparesis and was diagnosed with cerebral infarction.
• Diffusion-weighted MRI revealed a lesion in the ventromedial right thalamus.
• Following initial recovery from hemiparesis, the patient developed bilateral ageusia, with preserved touch and olfaction.

Findings:

• The patient experienced severe bilateral loss of taste sensation on the tongue.
• Taste dysfunction resolved spontaneously within 10 days.
• This case is the second reported instance of bilateral ageusia linked to a right thalamic infarction.

Implications:

• The right thalamus plays a significant role in processing taste information from both sides of the tongue.
• This finding underscores the complex neural pathways involved in gustation.
• Further research into thalamic function is warranted for understanding and treating taste disorders.