This project seeks to elucidate the mechanisms by which oral sensory and perceptual experience is generated. Since objective mesurement of the various aspects of oral experience is fundamental to this effort, the selection and refinement of appropriate psychophysical methods is a primary and continuing project concern. Currently, the routine assessment of taste is carried out using aqueous solutions representing each of the four basic tastes. Measures include both (detection) thresholds and judgments of intensity and pleasantness for taste stimuli at higher, more commonly encountered levels of strength. These methods, applied to the study of possible age-associated changes have provided insights into basic mechanisms of chemosensory perception. Functional variation under pathologic circumstances are now being measured. Currently objective evaluations are being made of oral sensory disturbances occurring in association with systemic disease, salivary gland dysfunction or as an isolated complaint. Assessments of olfaction and of oral tactual sensitivity are obtained when they can contribute to an understanding of oral sensory function in relation to the complex stimuli encountered in everyday life.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01DE000212-09
Application #
4692611
Study Section
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Dental & Craniofacial Research
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code