Skip to content

Neural Correlates of Sensory Specific Satiety

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

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05313347
Acronym
Gusto
Enrollment
30
Registered
2022-04-06
Start date
2022-02-01
Completion date
2023-10-01
Last updated
2023-11-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Functional Neuroimaging, Obesity, Satiety Response

Keywords

fmri, sensory specific satiety

Brief summary

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.

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.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

University of Heidelberg Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 55 Years

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.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Choice of water compared to choice of sugar during Sensory Specific Satiety.1 hourComparing tasting of water with tasting of sugar (G10%) when participants are allowed to freely chose between the two during specific satiety for sugar.
Choice of water compared to passive ingestion of 20% sugar solution during Sensory Specific Satiety.1 hourComparison of voluntary tasting of water with the forced tasting of sugar during specific satiety for sugar.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Influence of variations in BMI on brain activation during Sensory Specific Satiety.1 hour

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026