Adaptation to capsaicin burn: effects of concentration and individual differences.
Human subjects rated the time course of the burn produced by three concentrations of capsaicin applied to the tongue via filter papers. Data were fit to a dynamic model composed of a level detector, a change detector, and a double integrator. These three processes responded differently to concentration. 6-n-Propyl-2-thiouracil (PROP) taster status correlated positively with the integrator process. Although a minority of subjects showed evidence of the integrator process, any subject with an integrator process at a given concentration also showed it at any higher concentration.
McBurney
D H
DH
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Balaban
C D
CD
Popp
J R
JR
Rosenkranz
J E
JE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000494:pharmacology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D011441:Propylthiouracil; D002211:Capsaicin