Understanding how inflammation causes taste loss and how to recover it
Official title: Mechanisms of inflammation-triggered taste loss and its recovery
Funded at Monell Chemical Senses Center · NIH-11061778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people lose their sense of taste, especially how inflammation might be causing problems with taste buds, and it hopes to find new ways to help those with autoimmune conditions or infections get their taste back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Monell Chemical Senses Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $355,678 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC018042-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing taste loss related to autoimmune diseases or infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have taste loss or those with taste loss due to non-inflammatory causes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind taste loss, particularly focusing on how inflammation affects taste bud function. It aims to understand the role of inflammatory cytokines, specifically interferon-γ, in inducing cell death and inhibiting the regeneration of taste buds. By studying these processes, the research seeks to identify potential treatments that could restore taste function in individuals affected by autoimmune conditions and infections. The findings could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating taste loss, which is linked to malnutrition and depression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for restoring taste function in patients suffering from taste loss due to inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of taste loss due to inflammation are still being explored, related research has shown promise in understanding taste dysfunction in various health conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Hong — Monell Chemical Senses Center
- Study coordinator: Wang, Hong
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.