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Healthy NutritionNCT06051175

Study of the Neurophysiological Response to Foodstuffs

A study testing Bitter taste perception, Salty taste perception and Sweet taste perception in people with Healthy Nutrition, run by Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL at 1 site in Portugal.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effect of perception of sensory attributes of different foodstuffs on physiological and neurophysiological response in health adults. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Healthy Nutrition
What is being tested?
Bitter taste perception, Salty taste perception and Sweet taste perception
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
30 participants
Where
1 sitePortugal
Study dates
1 Mar 2023to 21 Jul 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 25 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • healthy adults
  • agree to take part in the study
  • aged between 18 and 25

Who cannot join

  • Participants with cardiovascular, neurological or psychiatric conditions
  • Participants with food allergies or intolerances
  • Participants with disability that does not allow them to fully utilise their sense of taste (ageusia) and smell (anosmia).

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Portugal1 site
  • Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz

    Almada, Monte de Caparica, 2829-511

Other trials in Portugal

About this study

Official title: Effect of Food Sensorial Perception on Brain Activity, Cardiovascular Activity, Facial Mimicry and Electrodermal Activity

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effect of perception of sensory attributes of different foodstuffs on physiological and neurophysiological response in health adults. The main aims are:

  • To evaluate the effect of sensory perception of foodstuffs on brain activity using EEG technique;
  • To evaluate the effect of food sensory perception on cardiovascular activity using EGG;
  • To evaluate the effect of food sensory perception on facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking;
  • To evaluate the effect of food sensory perception on electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.
Read more

Participants will perform a sensory attribute perception analysis of 5 different solutions representing basic flavours. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

Read the detailed description

Participation in the Study of the neurophysiological response to foodstuffs in university students with the aim of investigating the effect of the perception of the sensory attributes of different foodstuffs on the physiological and neurophysiological response of healthy university students, which consists of the following participation: Completion of a survey with the aim of finding out the participant's family history in terms of pathologies and/or allergies/intolerances, gender, age, medication, smoking habits and lifestyles, anthropometric data.

Participants will carry out an analysis of the perception of sensory attributes of 5 different solutions representing basic flavours. During the analysis of sensory attributes, the participants will have to pass the solutions over the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analysing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouths out with water.

Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will undergo an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity using the following non-invasive methods: Electroencephalography technique, which consists of monitoring brain electrical activity using a cap with electrodes on the head. The electrocardiography technique, which consists of monitoring cardiac electrical activity by placing 3 electrodes on the forearm. Facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking, which consists of monitoring facial mimicry by recording test videos for each participant. The participant will be recorded throughout the experiment. Electrodermal activity using the galvanic response of the skin, where the participant will place their index finger and middle finger on a sensor for analysis. The evaluation of brain activity, which includes all the techniques described above, lasts a maximum of one hour.

Being tested
Bitter taste perception, Salty taste perception, Sweet taste perception, Acid taste perception, Umami taste perception
Keywords
sensory perception, physiological response, neurophysiological response, basic flavour

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Bitter taste perceptionOther

    Participants will perform a bitter taste perception analysis. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

    Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

  • Salty taste perceptionOther

    Participants will perform a salty taste perception analysis. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

    Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

  • Sweet taste perceptionOther

    Participants will perform a sweet taste perception analysis. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

    Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

  • Acid taste perceptionOther

    Participants will perform a acid taste perception analysis. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

    Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

  • Umami taste perceptionOther

    Participants will perform a umami taste perception analysis. During the analysis of sensory attributes, participants will pass the solutions through the various regions of the tongue, and at the end, throw the contents away, not ingesting the solution. Between analyzing the various solutions, participants will rinse their mouth with water.

    Simultaneously with the analysis of sensory attributes, each participant will be subjected to an assessment of brain activity and physiological activity through the following non-invasive methods: electroencephalography technique; electrocardiography technique; monitoring cardiac electrical activity; facial mimicry activity via video analysis and eye tracking; and electrodermal activity using galvanic skin response.

Study groups in NCT06051175
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Sensory attributes perception - bitter tasteExperimentalDuring the experiment individuals will be exposed to caffeine solution, identifying the sensory attributes and basic flavours. Between the tastings of the different foodstuffs, neutralisation phases will occur, where participants will receive a neutral food stimulus. The judgement will be self-reported by the participants after contact with the food. While the study is taking place, physiological and neurophysiological data will be collected from participants: brain activity (EEG); cardiac activity (ECG); electrodermal activity (galvanic skin response); and facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking. These data will be analysed using physiological data analysis software. All participant data will be recorded using coding, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality.
Receives: Other: Bitter taste perception
Sensory attributes perception - salty tasteExperimentalIndividuals will be exposed to sodium chloride solution, identifying the sensory attributes and basic flavours. Between the tastings of the different foodstuffs, neutralisation phases will occur, where participants will receive a neutral food stimulus. The judgement will be self-reported by the participants after contact with the food. While the study is taking place, physiological and neurophysiological data will be collected from participants: brain activity (EEG); cardiac activity (ECG); electrodermal activity (galvanic skin response); and facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking. These data will be analysed using physiological data analysis software. All participant data will be recorded using coding, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality.
Receives: Other: Salty taste perception
Sensory attributes perception - sweet tasteExperimentalIndividuals will be exposed to sucrose solution, identifying the sensory attributes and basic flavours. Between the tastings of the different foodstuffs, neutralisation phases will occur, where participants will receive a neutral food stimulus. The judgement will be self-reported by the participants after contact with the food. While the study is taking place, physiological and neurophysiological data will be collected from participants: brain activity (EEG); cardiac activity (ECG); electrodermal activity (galvanic skin response); and facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking. These data will be analysed using physiological data analysis software. All participant data will be recorded using coding, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality.
Receives: Other: Sweet taste perception
Sensory attributes perception - acid tasteExperimentalIndividuals will be exposed to citric acid solution, identifying the sensory attributes and basic flavours. Between the tastings of the different foodstuffs, neutralisation phases will occur, where participants will receive a neutral food stimulus. The judgement will be self-reported by the participants after contact with the food. While the study is taking place, physiological and neurophysiological data will be collected from participants: brain activity (EEG); cardiac activity (ECG); electrodermal activity (galvanic skin response); and facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking. These data will be analysed using physiological data analysis software. All participant data will be recorded using coding, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality.
Receives: Other: Acid taste perception
Sensory attributes perception - umami tasteExperimentalIndividuals will be exposed to sodium glutamate monohydrate solution, identifying the sensory attributes and basic flavours. Between the tastings of the different foodstuffs, neutralisation phases will occur, where participants will receive a neutral food stimulus. The judgement will be self-reported by the participants after contact with the food. While the study is taking place, physiological and neurophysiological data will be collected from participants: brain activity (EEG); cardiac activity (ECG); electrodermal activity (galvanic skin response); and facial mimicry via video analysis and eye tracking. These data will be analysed using physiological data analysis software. All participant data will be recorded using coding, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality.
Receives: Other: Umami taste perception

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. The mean value of electroencephalography signal components at different flavours

    The mean value of electroencephalography (EEG) signal components delta (1-4 Hz), theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-12 Hz), low-beta (12-20 Hz), high-beta (20-30 Hz) and gamma (30-45 Hz) (in decibel) will be measure by the EEG raw signals recorded by a 64-channel EEG device for each flavour

    Measured: During the intervention

  2. Mean score of valence, arousal, dominance in the Self Assessment Manikin System for each flavour

    The characterization of the flavour is performed using a 9-point scale for quantifying valence (pleasant/unpleasant), arousal (exciting/calming) and dominance (overwhelming/subtle)

    Measured: Immediately after the intervention

  3. The mean value of heart rate and heart rate variability computed from the electrocardiography raw signal at different flavours

    The mean value of heart rate (in beats per minute), the heart rate variability (in milliseconds) and will be measure bt the electrocardiography (ECG) raw signal recorded by an ECG device for each flavour

    Measured: During the intervention

  4. The left and right pupil dilatation at different flavours

    The left and right pupil dilatation will be extracted from the eye tracker device

    Measured: During the intervention

  5. The electrodermal activity values at different flavours

    The electrodermal activity, namely the skin conductance response and skin conductance level (in microSiemens) will be directly measure by Galvanic skin response device

    Measured: During the intervention

  6. Facial expressions induced by different flavours

    The facial expressions (in action units) will be visually measured on the videos that were acquired using a camera

    Measured: During the intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Sep 2023
  2. Study start1 Mar 2023
  3. Primary completion1 Jul 2023
  4. Study completion21 Jul 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
30 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06051175
Sponsor's protocol ID
1226Neurophy
Status last verified
Sep 2023
First submitted
7 Sep 2023
Last updated
22 Sep 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Bitter taste perception, Salty taste perception and Sweet taste perception in people with Healthy Nutrition, run by Egas Moniz - Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, CRL at 1 site in Portugal.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Portugal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

The mean value of electroencephalography signal components at different flavours (time frame: During the intervention). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2023.

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