RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Sweet Thresholds in Healthy Volunteers Study

This study aims to find out how much sugar (sucrose) in water a healthy person can taste. Researchers will use a cotton bud to place small amounts of sweet solutions on the tongue. The solutions will be given in a mixed-up order. Before and during the study, participants will fill out questionnaires about their mood, like for depression or anxiety, to make sure they are feeling healthy. The information gathered will be compared with similar studies done on different groups of people. This helps researchers understand how different health conditions might affect our sense of taste.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Ranvier Health Ltd

Enrolment target

Start

27 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

14 Mar 2025

Taste Thresholds in Healthy Volunteers

What is this study about?

This study is all about understanding how our sense of taste works, specifically when it comes to perceiving sweetness. Researchers want to find out the smallest amount of sugar (sucrose) in water that healthy individuals can still detect. Think of it like trying to find the faintest flavour in a spoonful of liquid – this study will carefully measure that 'sweet spot' for different people.

To do this, a tiny cotton bud will be used to place different sugar solutions on the front part of the participants' tongues. The solutions will be given in a mixed-up (random) order so that participants don't guess what's coming next. Before and during the study, participants will also be asked to fill out some simple questionnaires about how they are feeling, covering things like mood or anxiety. This is a crucial step to make sure that everyone taking part is genuinely healthy and that their mood won't affect their sense of taste during the study.

The information collected in this study is vital because it will be compared with results from other studies that have looked at sweet taste in different groups of people, possibly those with certain health conditions. By comparing these results, scientists can learn more about how our health, both physical and mental, might influence our ability to taste. This understanding could eventually help in diagnosing or monitoring certain health issues in the future, although this particular study is just about gathering basic information in healthy individuals.

Key takeaways

This study investigates how healthy individuals detect sweet tastes.
It involves tasting different sugar solutions on the tongue.
Participants will also complete mood questionnaires.
The findings will help compare taste sensitivity across different populations.
No medication is involved, and participation is for a short, single visit.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You should not have been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition like major depression or an anxiety disorder, and you shouldn't have taken antidepressant medication in the last six months. It's also important that you don't have other significant physical or mental health problems that could affect the study results, and you must be able to follow the study instructions.

There are several reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you are currently taking antidepressants or have taken them recently, or if you have a history of certain brain or nerve conditions like a stroke or Parkinson's disease. People with long-lasting pain, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or those who use certain herbal supplements (like St. John's Wort) or recreational stimulants won't be able to participate. Also, if you've recently had COVID-19 with ongoing taste changes, you would not be eligible.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or over?
Have you *not* been diagnosed with serious depression or anxiety?
Have you *not* taken antidepressant medicine in the last 6 months?
Do you *not* have ongoing COVID-19 symptoms affecting your taste?
Are you *not* pregnant or breastfeeding?
Do you *not* have conditions like stroke, Parkinson's, or chronic pain?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will have solutions of sugar and water placed on your tongue using a cotton bud. These will be given in a random order. You will also complete some questionnaires about your mood and how you are feeling. The study involves a single visit and does not require you to take any medication. The total time commitment for participation is expected to be short, likely no more than a few hours for the entire session.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct personal benefits expected from taking part in this study, but your contribution will help researchers better understand how our sense of taste works. The risks are very low; you might notice some unfamiliar tastes, but these solutions are commonly used and safe. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your future medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Westbury Lodge, Westbury Park
Verified postcode
Bristol, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What will I actually have to do in the study?

You will have tiny drops of sugar water placed on your tongue with a cotton bud and answer questions about your mood.

Will I have to eat or drink anything difficult?

No, it's just very small amounts of sugar dissolved in water, applied to your tongue.

How long will the study take?

The study will involve a single visit, likely lasting a few hours in total.

Will this study help me with my health?

While there are no direct health benefits for you, your participation helps medical research to understand taste better.

Can I stop participating if I want to?

Yes, you can choose to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

David Adams S Chief Investigator, MBChB

davidadams@ranvierhealth.com +44 759440372 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.