The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners (AFS) on Sweetness Sensitivity, Preference and Brain Response in Adolescents
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Obesity Weight Loss, Endocrine |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Endocrinology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 13 - 17 |
| Updated: | 1/19/2018 |
| Start Date: | November 2014 |
| End Date: | December 2017 |
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary exposure to artificial
sweeteners on taste sensitivity, preference and brain response in adolescents using fMRI,
psychophysical measures, and questionnaires. The investigators hypothesize that dietary
exposure to artificial sweeteners (sucralose) will decrease sensitivity to taste, shift
preference of sweet and savory taste to a higher dose, and reduce brain response in amygdala
to sweet taste compared to sucrose.
sweeteners on taste sensitivity, preference and brain response in adolescents using fMRI,
psychophysical measures, and questionnaires. The investigators hypothesize that dietary
exposure to artificial sweeteners (sucralose) will decrease sensitivity to taste, shift
preference of sweet and savory taste to a higher dose, and reduce brain response in amygdala
to sweet taste compared to sucrose.
We aim to identify neural factors that contribute to taste intensity perception in humans and
to determine environmental mechanisms that contribute to variation in taste sensitivity.
Significant controversy surrounds the possibility that consumption of artificial sweeteners
(AFS) leads to weight gain. Given that the five FDA approved AFSs are found in thousands of
foods (Yang 2010) this marks a clear and significant gap in knowledge. Our preliminary data
demonstrate a 3-fold decrease in sweet taste sensitivity following consumption of a beverage
sweetened with two packets of Splenda for just 10 days. These data provide strong evidence
that repeated exposure to sucralose reduces perception of sweet taste intensity, most likely
by down-regulation of the sweet taste receptor. Adolescents may be more sensitive to exposure
to AFS because of changes in metabolism during this period of development. Physiologic
insulin resistance occurs during adolescence (Moran, Jacobs et al. 1999); this change in
insulin sensitivity may predispose adolescents to greater impairments in sweet taste
intensity by altering the relationship between sweet taste and post-ingestive reward, as
suggested by the Davidson and Swithers model (Davidson and Swithers 2004). Therefore, it is
imperative that we gain a greater understanding of the physiological consequences of AFS use
in adolescents, since alterations in sweet taste perception, metabolism and brain reward that
occur in response to AFS exposure may promote weight gain.
to determine environmental mechanisms that contribute to variation in taste sensitivity.
Significant controversy surrounds the possibility that consumption of artificial sweeteners
(AFS) leads to weight gain. Given that the five FDA approved AFSs are found in thousands of
foods (Yang 2010) this marks a clear and significant gap in knowledge. Our preliminary data
demonstrate a 3-fold decrease in sweet taste sensitivity following consumption of a beverage
sweetened with two packets of Splenda for just 10 days. These data provide strong evidence
that repeated exposure to sucralose reduces perception of sweet taste intensity, most likely
by down-regulation of the sweet taste receptor. Adolescents may be more sensitive to exposure
to AFS because of changes in metabolism during this period of development. Physiologic
insulin resistance occurs during adolescence (Moran, Jacobs et al. 1999); this change in
insulin sensitivity may predispose adolescents to greater impairments in sweet taste
intensity by altering the relationship between sweet taste and post-ingestive reward, as
suggested by the Davidson and Swithers model (Davidson and Swithers 2004). Therefore, it is
imperative that we gain a greater understanding of the physiological consequences of AFS use
in adolescents, since alterations in sweet taste perception, metabolism and brain reward that
occur in response to AFS exposure may promote weight gain.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Healthy
- Fluent in English
- Right handed
- 13-17 years old
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of oral nerve damage, presence of known taste or smell disorder, food
allergies or sensitivities (for example nuts, lactose, artificial sweeteners), history
of CNS disease, diabetes, history of DSM-IV major psychiatric disorder, including
alcohol and substance abuse, chronic use of medication that may affect taste,
conditions that may interefere with gustatory or olfactory perception (colds, seasonal
allergies, recent smoking history), aberrant stimulus ratings, contra-indication for
fMRI, uncomfortable swallowing in supine position, discomfort or anxiety associated
with insertion an intravenous catheter, regular artificial sweetener use.
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