The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology, 2003
Although complete or near-complete olfactory loss has been extensively documented and described, ... more Although complete or near-complete olfactory loss has been extensively documented and described, few published reports have documented severe generalized gustatory loss (across qualities and neural fields) with rigorous psychophysical testing, and none have explored the prevalence or causes of such losses in a large clinical population. This study retrospectively reviews our chemosensory clinic's experience of 1,176 patients evaluated for complaints of chemosensory dysfunction in order to address these issues. Our series confirms that despite the complex, bilateral innervation and regenerative capacity of the gustatory system, severe generalized taste loss does occur as a clinical entity, albeit rarely: only 0.85% (n = 10) of our patients evidenced such a deficit, as compared to 32% (n = 371) who were found to have a profound olfactory deficit. Combinations of systemic and/or acute events may underlie many cases of severe taste loss, and in half of our cases, these patients evid...
Transduction mechanisms were investigated in human olfactory neurons by determining characteristi... more Transduction mechanisms were investigated in human olfactory neurons by determining characteristics of odorant-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Olfactory neurons were freshly isolated from nasal biopsies, allowed to attach to coverslips, and loaded with the calcium-sensitive indicator fura-2. Changes in [Ca2+]i were studied in response to exposure to individual odors, or odorant mixtures composed to distinguish between transduction pathways mediated by adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (c& mix A) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3; mix B). Overall, 52% of biopsies produced one or more odorant-responsive olfactory neurons, whereas 24% of all olfactory neurons tested responded to odorant exposure with a change in [Ca2+]i. As in olfactory neurons from other species, the data suggest that odorant exposure elicited calcium influx via second-messenger pathways involving cAMP or InsP3. Unlike olfactory neurons from other species that have been tested...
We report a cross-sectional study of olfactory impairment with age based on both odorant-stimulat... more We report a cross-sectional study of olfactory impairment with age based on both odorant-stimulated responses of human olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and tests of olfactory threshold sensitivity. A total of 621 OSNs from 440 subjects in 2 age groups of younger (≤ 45 years) and older (≥ 60 years) subjects were investigated using fluorescence intensity ratio fura-2 imaging. OSNs were tested for responses to 2 odorant mixtures, as well as to subsets of and individual odors in those mixtures. Whereas cells from younger donors were highly selective in the odorants to which they responded, cells from older donors were more likely to respond to multiple odor stimuli, despite a loss in these subjects' absolute olfactory sensitivity, suggesting a loss of specificity. This degradation in peripheral cellular specificity may impact odor discrimination and olfactory adaptation in the elderly. It is also possible that chronic adaptation as a result of reduced specificity contributes to observed declines in absolute sensitivity.
Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhino... more Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhinosinus disease to seek medical treatment. However, patient perception of obstruction often bears little relationship to actual measured physical obstruction of airflow. This lack of an objective clinical tool hinders effective diagnosis and treatment. Previous work has suggested that the perception of nasal patency may involve nasal trigeminal activation by cool inspiratory airflow; we attempt to derive clinically relevant variables following this phenomenon.
Few studies have examined the induction of squamous metaplasia in human olfactory nasal tissue ca... more Few studies have examined the induction of squamous metaplasia in human olfactory nasal tissue caused by tobacco use and the implications it may have for olfaction, particularly when there are pre-existing insults, such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Quantitative histopathological analyses were performed on Alcian blue-and H&E-stained sections of nasal biopsies taken from the upper aspect of the middle turbinate of CRS patients. Chronic rhinosinusitis patients who were current smokers had a predominance of squamous metaplasia in the olfactory sensory epithelium, whereas CRS patients who were nonsmokers and were not exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke had a prevalence of goblet cell hyperplasia. In spite of this difference, the groups did not differ significantly in olfactory threshold sensitivity. The impact of primary cigarette smoke on olfaction and a possible role of squamous metaplasia in preserving olfactory neurogenesis are discussed.
Background: The perception of sour taste in humans is incompletely understood at the receptor cel... more Background: The perception of sour taste in humans is incompletely understood at the receptor cell level. We report here on two patients with an acquired sour ageusia. Each patient was unresponsive to sour stimuli, but both showed normal responses to bitter, sweet, and salty stimuli.
Protein kinases A and C have been postulated to exert multiple effects on different elements of s... more Protein kinases A and C have been postulated to exert multiple effects on different elements of signal transduction pathways in olfactory receptor neurons. However, little is known about the modulation of olfactory responses by protein kinases in intact olfactory receptor neurons. To further elucidate the details of the modulation of odorant responsiveness by these protein kinases, we investigated the action of two protein kinase inhibitors: H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, and N-myristoylated EGF receptor, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, on odorant responsiveness in intact olfactory neurons. We isolated individual olfactory neurons from the adult human and rat olfactory epithelium and measured responses of the isolated cells to odorants or biochemical activators that have been shown to initiate cyclic AMP or inositol 1,4,5-trisphospate production in biochemical preparations. We employed calcium imaging techniques to measure odor-elicited changes in intracellular calcium that occur over several seconds. In human olfactory receptor neurons, the protein kinase A and C inhibitors affected the responses to different sets of odorants. In rats, however, the protein kinase C inhibitor affected responses to all odorants, while the protein kinase A inhibitor had no effect. In both species, the effect of inhibition of protein kinases was to enhance the elevation and block termination of intracellular calcium levels elicited by odorants. Our results show that protein kinases A and C may modulate odorant responses of olfactory neurons by regulating calcium fluxes that occur several seconds after odorant stimulation. The effects of protein kinase C inhibition are different in rat and human olfactory neurons, indicating that species differences are an important consideration when applying data from animal studies to apply to humans.
Background: Birth weight and sodium intake are both associated with risk for hypertension. It is ... more Background: Birth weight and sodium intake are both associated with risk for hypertension. It is not known whether birth weight influences response to salty taste. Objective: To assess the relationship between birth weight and salty taste acceptance of infants and young children. Design: Acceptance of salty taste was assessed at 2 (n ¼ 80) and 6 (n ¼ 76) months in infants (birth weight 42.5 kg) enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Acceptance was expressed as proportional intake following 1-min ingestion tests with water and salt solutions (0.17 and 0.34 mol/l NaCl, in water). Birth weight was obtained by maternal report. Questionnaires completed by mothers and food-ranking procedures performed by children evaluated salt liking and preference in a subset (n ¼ 38) of subjects at preschool age (36 or 48 months). Setting: Nonprofit basic research institute in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Results: Regression analysis revealed significant negative associations between birth weight and acceptance of salty taste at 2 months (0.17 mol/l, Po0.0001; 0.34 mol/l, Po0.01) but not at 6 months. Relationships were not affected by adjustment for potential confounders. In preschoolers, greater liking of (Po0.05) and preference for (Po0.01) salty foods was associated with lower birth weight in simple, but not adjusted, models. Conclusion: Measures related to salty taste preference were inversely related to birth weight over the first 4 years of life. Additional studies should substantiate these findings and explore whether early response to salty taste predicts future sodium intake, blood pressure, or other public health-related outcomes.
Preference for salt (NaCI) in young children was examined in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 2 gr... more Preference for salt (NaCI) in young children was examined in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 2 groups of 14 Black children were given paired-comparison tests with salted soups ranging between 0 and 1.8-M NaC1. Children tended to prefer higher salt concentrations than is typical for adults, but the range of salt concentrations used in testing influenced the distribution of children's preferred salt levels. Experiment 2 directly compared children with their parents, eliminated range effects through a preference-tracking procedure based on the paired-comparison technique, and compared Black and White children's preferences. Children (n = 58) again preferred higher levels ofsalt than did adults (n = 30). No differences between White and Black children were evident, nor was there an indication that degree of salt exposure determined expressed preferences. It appears that children exhibit maximal preference for more concentrated salty, as well as sweet, liquids than do adults. The basis for this age-related difference is not currently understood.
Two studies investigated the human infant's response to salt during development. In the first stu... more Two studies investigated the human infant's response to salt during development. In the first study, measures of intake and sucking were obtained from two groups of infants, newborns and 4-to 8-month-olds, in response to brief presentations of two concentrations of salt (0.2 or 0.4 M) and water. For several measures of sucking and for intake, there were significant age and concentration effects. Generally, newborn infants tended to reject saline relative to water more than did 4-to 8-month-old infants. This result, consistent with previously published research, suggests a developmental change in salt acceptability and, probably, sensitivity in the human infant. In the second longitudinal study, the response to salted (0. ISM) versus unsalted formulas was evaluated monthly in infants 2 to 7 months of age. Again, a developmental change was observed: Based on some sucking measures, younger infants appeared to be indifferent to the salted formula relative to the unsalted formula whereas older infants tended to reject the salted formula, presumably because either it was less sweet than the unsalted formulas or because it was novel. These data are consistent with the hypothesis developed from animal model studies that during early human postnatal development, transductive elements sensitive to saltiness mature. 0 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Human infants less than 4 months of age ingested water and moderate concentrations of sodium chlo... more Human infants less than 4 months of age ingested water and moderate concentrations of sodium chloride solution (0.10-0.20 M) in equal amounts. In contrast, infants 4-24 months of age exhibited heightened acceptance of saline solution relative to water. Such a developmental change in salt acceptability is consistent with a hypothesis of postnatal maturation of peripheral andlor central structures underlying this response. Children 31-60 months of age tended to reject saline solution relative to water. This change may in part reflect the effects of experience.
Human newborns (birth-6 days) and older infants (14-180 days) were allowed to ingest both urea (0... more Human newborns (birth-6 days) and older infants (14-180 days) were allowed to ingest both urea (0.12-0.24 M) in a mildly sweet diluent and the diluent alone, and multiple measures of responsivity were obtained (relative intake, sucking behavior, and hedonic ratings based on facial expressions and body movements). For newborns, there was no indication of rejection of urea relative to the diluent in measures of intake or sucking behavior; rather, their responses were predominantly controlled by the order of presentation of the two tastes. In contrast, older infants tended to reject all concentrations of urea according to these measures. Hedonic ratings provided an indication of limited rejection of the bitter taste by newborns, but older infants were still found to respond more consistently. These data suggest there is an early developmental change in bitter taste perception. 0 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acceptance of and expressed preference for varying levels of salt (NaCl) were assessed among chil... more Acceptance of and expressed preference for varying levels of salt (NaCl) were assessed among children 3-6 years of age. 20 children received 0, 0.17, and 0.34 M NaCl in aqueous solution, and 20 received these same NaCl concentrations in a soup broth. In both groups, children were asked to ingest as much as they wanted to each stimulus during brief, sequential presentations and to indicate which stimulus they preferred in a series of paired-comparison presentations. A striking, context-specific reaction to the taste of salt was observed on both measures. Children in this age group strongly rejected even the moderate level of salt in water relative to unsalted water. In contrast, the most highly salted soup was well accepted and preferred to either unsalted or moderately salted soup by the majority of children.
Individuals can determine the side of the nose that receives an odorant during unilateral present... more Individuals can determine the side of the nose that receives an odorant during unilateral presentation (lateralize) if endings of the trigeminal nerve are stimulated. By using psychophysical methods, olfactory detection and trigeminal lateralization thresholds for l-butanol were obtained from 142 individuals ranging in age from 20 to 89 years. Sensitivity in both chemosensory pathways declined with advancing age, especially in people older than 60 years.
In a model selected for its similarity to the hormonal consequences of sodium deficiency, food ch... more In a model selected for its similarity to the hormonal consequences of sodium deficiency, food choices of 169 adolescents exposed during infancy to a chloridedeficient feeding formula were compared to those of their closest-aged siblings. Questionnaires completed by parents were used to assess food likes and dislikes. When a salty food was mentioned by parents as one craved by either child, exposed children were more likely than siblings to crave that food ( p=0·005). Frequencies of two of four salt-related dietary behaviors [adding salt to food before tasting (p=0·03) and to atypical foods (p=0·05)] were higher in exposed adolescents than in siblings, while frequencies of parallel sugar-related behaviors did not differ between the groups. Foods classified as being lower in saltiness were disliked by exposed children relative to siblings ( p=0·003), although ratings of foods higher in saltiness did not differ. Finally, when asked to rank eight foods in order of preference, ranks assigned by exposed children to salty foods tended (p=0·07) to be higher than those of siblings. The data suggest a persistent effect of early experience on human salt preference. Additional studies are needed to determine whether salt intake is increased in this and other populations that suffer electrolyte depletion during early development.
It has been stated without evidence that the human liking for salt (NaCI) is learned (e.g. Dahl')... more It has been stated without evidence that the human liking for salt (NaCI) is learned (e.g. Dahl'). Studies of infant and childhood responses to salt are required to evaluate this belief. We have been investigating the development of, acceptance of, and preference for salt in water and in soup in humans from birth on.
The impact of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on the olfactory mucosa (OM) is dramatic. Cellular pro... more The impact of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on the olfactory mucosa (OM) is dramatic. Cellular profiles and epithelial integrity in OM biopsies were evaluated using histological and immunohistochemical methods to define a strategy for future histological studies of CRS. We have examined nasal biopsies of 54 CRS patients (18-63 years old) and have defined specific histopathological patterns of the OM: normal pseudostratified, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, and erosion. Goblet cell hyperplasia was most similar to a normal pseudostratified OM pattern but with goblet cells intermixed in the apical layers. Squamous metaplasia exhibited an absence of olfactory supporting cells and had olfactory sensory neurons that were morphologically abnormal. It is unknown if these neurons would be functional in this type of tissue transformation. The pattern of erosion exhibited a severe loss of epithelial layers and a higher prevalence of infiltrating inflammatory cells within the olfactory epithelium when compared to the other OM patterns. Although it is not known if the OM patterns we have noted correspond to specific stages or distinct pathways of the disease, the template proposed here can be used in further studies to understand how the histopathological progression of CRS relates to olfactory loss and the response to treatment.
The Annals of otology, rhinology, and laryngology, 2003
Although complete or near-complete olfactory loss has been extensively documented and described, ... more Although complete or near-complete olfactory loss has been extensively documented and described, few published reports have documented severe generalized gustatory loss (across qualities and neural fields) with rigorous psychophysical testing, and none have explored the prevalence or causes of such losses in a large clinical population. This study retrospectively reviews our chemosensory clinic's experience of 1,176 patients evaluated for complaints of chemosensory dysfunction in order to address these issues. Our series confirms that despite the complex, bilateral innervation and regenerative capacity of the gustatory system, severe generalized taste loss does occur as a clinical entity, albeit rarely: only 0.85% (n = 10) of our patients evidenced such a deficit, as compared to 32% (n = 371) who were found to have a profound olfactory deficit. Combinations of systemic and/or acute events may underlie many cases of severe taste loss, and in half of our cases, these patients evid...
Transduction mechanisms were investigated in human olfactory neurons by determining characteristi... more Transduction mechanisms were investigated in human olfactory neurons by determining characteristics of odorant-induced changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Olfactory neurons were freshly isolated from nasal biopsies, allowed to attach to coverslips, and loaded with the calcium-sensitive indicator fura-2. Changes in [Ca2+]i were studied in response to exposure to individual odors, or odorant mixtures composed to distinguish between transduction pathways mediated by adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (c& mix A) or inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3; mix B). Overall, 52% of biopsies produced one or more odorant-responsive olfactory neurons, whereas 24% of all olfactory neurons tested responded to odorant exposure with a change in [Ca2+]i. As in olfactory neurons from other species, the data suggest that odorant exposure elicited calcium influx via second-messenger pathways involving cAMP or InsP3. Unlike olfactory neurons from other species that have been tested...
We report a cross-sectional study of olfactory impairment with age based on both odorant-stimulat... more We report a cross-sectional study of olfactory impairment with age based on both odorant-stimulated responses of human olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) and tests of olfactory threshold sensitivity. A total of 621 OSNs from 440 subjects in 2 age groups of younger (≤ 45 years) and older (≥ 60 years) subjects were investigated using fluorescence intensity ratio fura-2 imaging. OSNs were tested for responses to 2 odorant mixtures, as well as to subsets of and individual odors in those mixtures. Whereas cells from younger donors were highly selective in the odorants to which they responded, cells from older donors were more likely to respond to multiple odor stimuli, despite a loss in these subjects' absolute olfactory sensitivity, suggesting a loss of specificity. This degradation in peripheral cellular specificity may impact odor discrimination and olfactory adaptation in the elderly. It is also possible that chronic adaptation as a result of reduced specificity contributes to observed declines in absolute sensitivity.
Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhino... more Objectives/Hypothesis: Nasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhinosinus disease to seek medical treatment. However, patient perception of obstruction often bears little relationship to actual measured physical obstruction of airflow. This lack of an objective clinical tool hinders effective diagnosis and treatment. Previous work has suggested that the perception of nasal patency may involve nasal trigeminal activation by cool inspiratory airflow; we attempt to derive clinically relevant variables following this phenomenon.
Few studies have examined the induction of squamous metaplasia in human olfactory nasal tissue ca... more Few studies have examined the induction of squamous metaplasia in human olfactory nasal tissue caused by tobacco use and the implications it may have for olfaction, particularly when there are pre-existing insults, such as chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Quantitative histopathological analyses were performed on Alcian blue-and H&E-stained sections of nasal biopsies taken from the upper aspect of the middle turbinate of CRS patients. Chronic rhinosinusitis patients who were current smokers had a predominance of squamous metaplasia in the olfactory sensory epithelium, whereas CRS patients who were nonsmokers and were not exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke had a prevalence of goblet cell hyperplasia. In spite of this difference, the groups did not differ significantly in olfactory threshold sensitivity. The impact of primary cigarette smoke on olfaction and a possible role of squamous metaplasia in preserving olfactory neurogenesis are discussed.
Background: The perception of sour taste in humans is incompletely understood at the receptor cel... more Background: The perception of sour taste in humans is incompletely understood at the receptor cell level. We report here on two patients with an acquired sour ageusia. Each patient was unresponsive to sour stimuli, but both showed normal responses to bitter, sweet, and salty stimuli.
Protein kinases A and C have been postulated to exert multiple effects on different elements of s... more Protein kinases A and C have been postulated to exert multiple effects on different elements of signal transduction pathways in olfactory receptor neurons. However, little is known about the modulation of olfactory responses by protein kinases in intact olfactory receptor neurons. To further elucidate the details of the modulation of odorant responsiveness by these protein kinases, we investigated the action of two protein kinase inhibitors: H89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, and N-myristoylated EGF receptor, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, on odorant responsiveness in intact olfactory neurons. We isolated individual olfactory neurons from the adult human and rat olfactory epithelium and measured responses of the isolated cells to odorants or biochemical activators that have been shown to initiate cyclic AMP or inositol 1,4,5-trisphospate production in biochemical preparations. We employed calcium imaging techniques to measure odor-elicited changes in intracellular calcium that occur over several seconds. In human olfactory receptor neurons, the protein kinase A and C inhibitors affected the responses to different sets of odorants. In rats, however, the protein kinase C inhibitor affected responses to all odorants, while the protein kinase A inhibitor had no effect. In both species, the effect of inhibition of protein kinases was to enhance the elevation and block termination of intracellular calcium levels elicited by odorants. Our results show that protein kinases A and C may modulate odorant responses of olfactory neurons by regulating calcium fluxes that occur several seconds after odorant stimulation. The effects of protein kinase C inhibition are different in rat and human olfactory neurons, indicating that species differences are an important consideration when applying data from animal studies to apply to humans.
Background: Birth weight and sodium intake are both associated with risk for hypertension. It is ... more Background: Birth weight and sodium intake are both associated with risk for hypertension. It is not known whether birth weight influences response to salty taste. Objective: To assess the relationship between birth weight and salty taste acceptance of infants and young children. Design: Acceptance of salty taste was assessed at 2 (n ¼ 80) and 6 (n ¼ 76) months in infants (birth weight 42.5 kg) enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Acceptance was expressed as proportional intake following 1-min ingestion tests with water and salt solutions (0.17 and 0.34 mol/l NaCl, in water). Birth weight was obtained by maternal report. Questionnaires completed by mothers and food-ranking procedures performed by children evaluated salt liking and preference in a subset (n ¼ 38) of subjects at preschool age (36 or 48 months). Setting: Nonprofit basic research institute in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Results: Regression analysis revealed significant negative associations between birth weight and acceptance of salty taste at 2 months (0.17 mol/l, Po0.0001; 0.34 mol/l, Po0.01) but not at 6 months. Relationships were not affected by adjustment for potential confounders. In preschoolers, greater liking of (Po0.05) and preference for (Po0.01) salty foods was associated with lower birth weight in simple, but not adjusted, models. Conclusion: Measures related to salty taste preference were inversely related to birth weight over the first 4 years of life. Additional studies should substantiate these findings and explore whether early response to salty taste predicts future sodium intake, blood pressure, or other public health-related outcomes.
Preference for salt (NaCI) in young children was examined in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 2 gr... more Preference for salt (NaCI) in young children was examined in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 2 groups of 14 Black children were given paired-comparison tests with salted soups ranging between 0 and 1.8-M NaC1. Children tended to prefer higher salt concentrations than is typical for adults, but the range of salt concentrations used in testing influenced the distribution of children's preferred salt levels. Experiment 2 directly compared children with their parents, eliminated range effects through a preference-tracking procedure based on the paired-comparison technique, and compared Black and White children's preferences. Children (n = 58) again preferred higher levels ofsalt than did adults (n = 30). No differences between White and Black children were evident, nor was there an indication that degree of salt exposure determined expressed preferences. It appears that children exhibit maximal preference for more concentrated salty, as well as sweet, liquids than do adults. The basis for this age-related difference is not currently understood.
Two studies investigated the human infant's response to salt during development. In the first stu... more Two studies investigated the human infant's response to salt during development. In the first study, measures of intake and sucking were obtained from two groups of infants, newborns and 4-to 8-month-olds, in response to brief presentations of two concentrations of salt (0.2 or 0.4 M) and water. For several measures of sucking and for intake, there were significant age and concentration effects. Generally, newborn infants tended to reject saline relative to water more than did 4-to 8-month-old infants. This result, consistent with previously published research, suggests a developmental change in salt acceptability and, probably, sensitivity in the human infant. In the second longitudinal study, the response to salted (0. ISM) versus unsalted formulas was evaluated monthly in infants 2 to 7 months of age. Again, a developmental change was observed: Based on some sucking measures, younger infants appeared to be indifferent to the salted formula relative to the unsalted formula whereas older infants tended to reject the salted formula, presumably because either it was less sweet than the unsalted formulas or because it was novel. These data are consistent with the hypothesis developed from animal model studies that during early human postnatal development, transductive elements sensitive to saltiness mature. 0 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Human infants less than 4 months of age ingested water and moderate concentrations of sodium chlo... more Human infants less than 4 months of age ingested water and moderate concentrations of sodium chloride solution (0.10-0.20 M) in equal amounts. In contrast, infants 4-24 months of age exhibited heightened acceptance of saline solution relative to water. Such a developmental change in salt acceptability is consistent with a hypothesis of postnatal maturation of peripheral andlor central structures underlying this response. Children 31-60 months of age tended to reject saline solution relative to water. This change may in part reflect the effects of experience.
Human newborns (birth-6 days) and older infants (14-180 days) were allowed to ingest both urea (0... more Human newborns (birth-6 days) and older infants (14-180 days) were allowed to ingest both urea (0.12-0.24 M) in a mildly sweet diluent and the diluent alone, and multiple measures of responsivity were obtained (relative intake, sucking behavior, and hedonic ratings based on facial expressions and body movements). For newborns, there was no indication of rejection of urea relative to the diluent in measures of intake or sucking behavior; rather, their responses were predominantly controlled by the order of presentation of the two tastes. In contrast, older infants tended to reject all concentrations of urea according to these measures. Hedonic ratings provided an indication of limited rejection of the bitter taste by newborns, but older infants were still found to respond more consistently. These data suggest there is an early developmental change in bitter taste perception. 0 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Acceptance of and expressed preference for varying levels of salt (NaCl) were assessed among chil... more Acceptance of and expressed preference for varying levels of salt (NaCl) were assessed among children 3-6 years of age. 20 children received 0, 0.17, and 0.34 M NaCl in aqueous solution, and 20 received these same NaCl concentrations in a soup broth. In both groups, children were asked to ingest as much as they wanted to each stimulus during brief, sequential presentations and to indicate which stimulus they preferred in a series of paired-comparison presentations. A striking, context-specific reaction to the taste of salt was observed on both measures. Children in this age group strongly rejected even the moderate level of salt in water relative to unsalted water. In contrast, the most highly salted soup was well accepted and preferred to either unsalted or moderately salted soup by the majority of children.
Individuals can determine the side of the nose that receives an odorant during unilateral present... more Individuals can determine the side of the nose that receives an odorant during unilateral presentation (lateralize) if endings of the trigeminal nerve are stimulated. By using psychophysical methods, olfactory detection and trigeminal lateralization thresholds for l-butanol were obtained from 142 individuals ranging in age from 20 to 89 years. Sensitivity in both chemosensory pathways declined with advancing age, especially in people older than 60 years.
In a model selected for its similarity to the hormonal consequences of sodium deficiency, food ch... more In a model selected for its similarity to the hormonal consequences of sodium deficiency, food choices of 169 adolescents exposed during infancy to a chloridedeficient feeding formula were compared to those of their closest-aged siblings. Questionnaires completed by parents were used to assess food likes and dislikes. When a salty food was mentioned by parents as one craved by either child, exposed children were more likely than siblings to crave that food ( p=0·005). Frequencies of two of four salt-related dietary behaviors [adding salt to food before tasting (p=0·03) and to atypical foods (p=0·05)] were higher in exposed adolescents than in siblings, while frequencies of parallel sugar-related behaviors did not differ between the groups. Foods classified as being lower in saltiness were disliked by exposed children relative to siblings ( p=0·003), although ratings of foods higher in saltiness did not differ. Finally, when asked to rank eight foods in order of preference, ranks assigned by exposed children to salty foods tended (p=0·07) to be higher than those of siblings. The data suggest a persistent effect of early experience on human salt preference. Additional studies are needed to determine whether salt intake is increased in this and other populations that suffer electrolyte depletion during early development.
It has been stated without evidence that the human liking for salt (NaCI) is learned (e.g. Dahl')... more It has been stated without evidence that the human liking for salt (NaCI) is learned (e.g. Dahl'). Studies of infant and childhood responses to salt are required to evaluate this belief. We have been investigating the development of, acceptance of, and preference for salt in water and in soup in humans from birth on.
The impact of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on the olfactory mucosa (OM) is dramatic. Cellular pro... more The impact of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) on the olfactory mucosa (OM) is dramatic. Cellular profiles and epithelial integrity in OM biopsies were evaluated using histological and immunohistochemical methods to define a strategy for future histological studies of CRS. We have examined nasal biopsies of 54 CRS patients (18-63 years old) and have defined specific histopathological patterns of the OM: normal pseudostratified, goblet cell hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, and erosion. Goblet cell hyperplasia was most similar to a normal pseudostratified OM pattern but with goblet cells intermixed in the apical layers. Squamous metaplasia exhibited an absence of olfactory supporting cells and had olfactory sensory neurons that were morphologically abnormal. It is unknown if these neurons would be functional in this type of tissue transformation. The pattern of erosion exhibited a severe loss of epithelial layers and a higher prevalence of infiltrating inflammatory cells within the olfactory epithelium when compared to the other OM patterns. Although it is not known if the OM patterns we have noted correspond to specific stages or distinct pathways of the disease, the template proposed here can be used in further studies to understand how the histopathological progression of CRS relates to olfactory loss and the response to treatment.
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Papers by Beverly Cowart