title: The stomach's response to unappetizing food: cephalic-vagal effects on gastric myoelectric activity.
abstract: The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of sham feeding food that was perceived as unappetizing on the cephalic-vagal reflex as measured by changes in gastric myoelectric activity. Thirty-eight healthy human participants experienced one of two conditions: (i) an appetizing sham feeding condition in which participants chewed and expectorated two cooked frankfurters, and (ii) an unappetizing sham-feeding condition in which participants chewed and expectorated two cold tofu frankfurters. All participants were asked to chew each mouth-full of food 6-7 times and to be very careful not to swallow any of the food. Electrogastrograms (EGGs) were recorded for 10 min prior to, during, and for 15 min after sham feeding. A questionnaire was given to each participant after the procedure as a manipulation check and to assess food palatability. Results from the questionnaire showed, as expected, that the cooked frankfurters were significantly more appetizing than the cold tofu frankfurters (P < 0.01). In the group sham fed appetizing food, 3 cycles per minute (cpm) power increased during sham feeding, but the change was not significant; however, 3 cpm power decreased in the group sham fed unappetizing food. This difference was significant (P < 0.05). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the cephalic-vagal reflex, as measured by power in the 3 cpm frequency region of the EGG, is sensitive to the subjective palatability of the food.
authors: Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania, USA. RS3@PSU.EDU
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Stern
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Jokerst
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Levine
authors: K L
authors: KL
authors: Koch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D013270:Stomach / Q000294:innervation* / Q000502:physiology*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology*