Psychophysical and behavioral studies with humans and non-verbal animals have lead researchers to propose that many natural sugars, a subset of amino acids, and some synthetic compounds produce qualitatively indiscriminable percepts. Recently, it has been suggested that in taste cells a family of receptors called the T1Rs mediates signal transduction of these """"""""sweeteners."""""""" However, not all of these compounds bind with the same receptor in this family, providing a possible neural basis for discriminability. The experiments proposed here are designed to explicitly test the ability of mice to distinguish between sucrose, glucose, glycine, L-serine, L-alanine, and D-trytophan in operant taste discrimination tasks. The proposed experiments will help characterize the qualitative similarities and differences between these taste stimuli and thus provide data critical in constructing a qualitative perceptual space related to these """"""""sweeteners"""""""" in this important animal model. As such these behavioral experiments will provide a functional context to guide the interpretation of findings from more molecular levels of analysis. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
5F31DC007358-02
Application #
6951072
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-DIG-B (29))
Program Officer
Sklare, Dan
Project Start
2004-09-13
Project End
2006-09-12
Budget Start
2005-09-13
Budget End
2006-09-12
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$28,583
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Florida
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
969663814
City
Gainesville
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32611