Neural Correlates of Sensory Specific Satiety (Gusto)

A Pilot Study to Investigate Neural Processing During Sensory Specific Satiety Using Gustatory Stimulation

Sensory specific satiety, or the phenomenon that the pleasantness of a particular taste declines when certain types food are consumed to satiety, plays an important role in food choice and meal termination.The rewarding effect of sugar will be investigated in a group of 30 healthy participants with a body mass index ranging from 17.5 to 35kg/m2. A gustatory stimulation paradigm designed to induce sensory specific satiety for glucose will be employed. The aim is to assess neuronal stimulus processing in relation to the sensory satiety level and to investigate the relationship with everyday eating behavior.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Obesity; Satiety Response; Functional Neuroimaging

Detailed Description

Sensory specific satiety, or the phenomenon that the pleasantness of a particular taste declines when certain types food are consumed to satiety, plays an important role in food choice and meal termination. Since changes in taste, smell and appetite are commonly observed in obesity, previous studies investigated the relation of sensory specific satiety to weight gain, but observed conflicting results. To gain a more detailed understanding of the relationship between sensory specific satiety and weight homeostasis, we will examine the rewarding effect of sugar in a group of 30 healthy participants with a body mass index ranging from 17.5 to 35kg/m2. We will employ a gustatory stimulation paradigm designed to induce sensory specific satiety for glucose. During fMRI scanning, glucose and water are applied orally using a gustometer. Furthermore, relevant hormonal satiety parameters are measured, as well as dietary behavior and food preferences in everyday life. This will allow us to assess neuronal stimulus processing in relation to the sensory satiety level and to investigate the relationship with everyday eating behavior. A better understanding of factors contributing to the development and maintenance of overweight are crucial for the development of new treatment options for obesity.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 30

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Heidelberg, Germany
    • University Hospital Heidelberg

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 55 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy controls with BMI between 17,5 and 35 kg/m².

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. BMI between 17,5 and 35 kg/m².
2. Over age of 18 years.
3. Right-handedness.
4. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision.
5. Capacity to consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of head injury or surgery.
2. History of neurological disorder.
3. Severe psychiatric comorbidity.
4. Lifetime or current medical illness that could potentially affect appetite or weight (including eating disorders diagnosis)
5. Smoking.
6. Current psychotropic medication.
7. Inability to undergo fMRI scan (e.g. metallic implants, claustrophobia, pacemakers).
8. Pregnancy.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Healty Participants with varying BMI; 30 healthy participants with a body mass index ranging from 17.5 to 35kg/m2.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Choice of water compared to choice of sugar during Sensory Specific Satiety.	Comparing tasting of water with tasting of sugar (G10%) when participants are allowed to freely chose between the two during specific satiety for sugar.	1 hour
Choice of water compared to passive ingestion of 20% sugar solution during Sensory Specific Satiety.	Comparison of voluntary tasting of water with the "forced" tasting of sugar during specific satiety for sugar.	1 hour

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Influence of variations in BMI on brain activation during Sensory Specific Satiety.	1 hour

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Heidelberg Medical Center
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: joe simon, Ph.D., Heidelberg University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 5, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): April 6, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 29, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 28, 2023
• Last Verified: November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: fmri; sensory specific satiety
• Other Study ID Numbers: S-656/2019-2

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No