Impairment of taste perception in anorexia nervosa and bulimia

Abstract

Nine women diagnosed as having primary anorexia nervosa (ANs), five women diagnosed as having bulimia (Bs), and seven normal control women (NCs) were tested for perception of taste quality and intensity using the method of magnitude estimation. The four taste stimuli used were sucrose, hydrochloric acid (HCI), sodium chloride (NaCl), and quinine hydrochloride (QHCI). Four different log molar concentrations of each of these four taste stimuli were employed. No significant differences were found among the three groups in ability to identify taste quality. However, there were significant differences (p <.05) in magnitude estimates of the 3 higher concentrations of the HCI solution, the 2 higher concentrations of the sucrose and NaCl solutions, and the QHCl solution of the highest concentration. The magnitude estimates of the ANs and Bs were consistently lower than those of the NCs. The results indicate that poor gustatory sensitivity is significantly associated with the abnormal eating behavior characteristic of both anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Olfactory and gustatory sensitivity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Our finding, however, is in contrast with two studies indicating a hypogeusia to all or some of the four basic tastes in bulimic patients (Jirik-Babb and Katz 1988;Nakai et al 1987). It might, therefore, be argued that the results are strongly influenced by the gustatory method used.…”

Taste sensitivity in anorexia nervosa: A systematic review

“…Other studies used unique experimental approaches to measuring taste recognition. These four studies used a similar approach in principle to the taste strips or filter paper disc methods, where individuals were presented with solutions of different taste qualities, sometimes of varying concentrations, and asked to identify the taste (Casper et al, 1978; Casper, Kirschner, Sandstead, Jacob, & Davis, 1980; Goldzak‐Kunik et al, 2012; Jirik‐Babb & Katz, 1988). …”

“…Two additional studies measured salty, bitter, and sour taste qualities in addition to sweet: Goldzak‐Kunik et al(2012), and Jirik‐Babb and Katz (1988), presented these four different taste solutions in different concentrations, and asked participants to rate their intensity.…”

Effects of sweet and bitter gustatory stimuli in anorexia nervosa on EEG frequency spectra

“…Jirik- Babb and Katz (1988) suggested that AN patients have decreased taste sensitivity due to endocrine dysfunction. Altered zinc metabolism could also play a significant role in the symptomatology of AN (Yamaguchi et al, 1992;Bakan et al, 1993).…”