Assessment of gustatory function in aging people using event-related potentials
Chunhua Hu1, Linyin Yao1, Zirong Chen2
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Capital Medical University.
Neuroreport
|May 20, 2020
Summary
Gustatory event-related potentials (ERPs) reveal specific patterns in aging individuals. Factors like sex, diabetes, and hypertension significantly impact these taste responses, offering insights into aging-related gustatory changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Sensory Science
Background:
- Chemosensory dysfunctions, particularly gustatory (taste) impairments, are common in aging populations.
- Gustatory event-related potentials (ERPs) are established tools for assessing taste function in younger individuals but are less understood in older adults.
- Factors influencing gustatory ERPs in the aging population require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gustatory ERPs in aging participants.
- To identify factors impacting gustatory ERPs, including age, sex, BMI, lifestyle habits, health conditions, and psychophysical test scores.
- To characterize the topographical distribution and cortical sources of gustatory ERP components in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of gustatory ERPs in aging participants using salty stimulation.
- Assessment of potential influencing factors: age, sex, BMI, drinking, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cognition, and gustatory/olfactory psychophysical tests.
- Electrophysiological recordings and source localization of ERP components (P1, N1, P2).
Main Results:
- Three gustatory ERP components (P1, N1, P2) were identified with distinct topographical distributions.
- P1 showed minimum latency at frontal electrodes; N1 and P2 had maximum amplitudes at central and centro-parietal electrodes, respectively.
- Diabetes was linked to increased P1 latency; sex influenced P1, N1, and P2 amplitudes; hypertension negatively affected P1 and P2 amplitudes.
Conclusions:
- Gustatory ERPs in aging individuals display a specific topographical distribution.
- Sex differences and the negative impacts of diabetes and hypertension on gustatory ERPs were observed in the aging population.
- These findings contribute to understanding the neurophysiological basis of taste perception changes during aging.
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