Changes in secreted salivary sodium are sufficient to alter salt taste sensitivity: use of signal detection measures with continuous monitoring of the oral environment.
A signal detection measure of NaCl taste sensitivity was developed with continuous monitoring of the Na+ concentration of the oral environment. Taste sensitivity was reduced when saliva was stimulated by chewing to secrete with elevated Na+ levels. Monitoring of the oral environment for Na+ allowed a computation of physical signal strengths for NaCl and water stimuli; changes in these strengths, brought about by variations in secreted salivary sodium, furnish an explanation for alterations in NaCl taste sensitivity.
Delwiche
J
J
Department of Food Science & Technology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.
O'Mahony
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D017603:Signal Detection, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D012964:Sodium