title: Clinical test of gustatory function including umami taste.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of gustatory function is a central part of the diagnosis of patients with chemosensory dysfunctions. The taste of monosodium glutamate was described as umami taste a century ago by Ikeda. The aim of this study was to extend a validated gustatory test with 4 concentrations of monosodium glutamate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigation included 96 subjects who reported having a normal sense of taste and smell. Taste function was assessed by 4 concentrations of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami tastes (extended version) and compared to results obtained in a control group (n = 139) not presented with umami. In a subgroup of 46 participants, the complete test was repeated within 7 days to obtain retest values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group comparisons exhibited no differences in taste sensitivity for each of the 4 taste qualities (p > 0.3) and no deviation with regard to the sum of correctly identified tastants (p = 0.81). Test-retest data from the extended version revealed a high correlation of scores (r46 = 0.77; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the extended version of the gustatory test is applicable for experimental and clinical settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian Albert
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pintscher
authors.forename: Bertold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Renner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018698:Glutamic Acid