Understanding taste and smell differences in people with alcohol use disorder

Individual Variations of Taste and Smell Perception in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

This study is trying to see how taste and smell are different in people with alcohol use disorder compared to those without, to understand how these differences might affect drinking habits.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 475 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 65 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) (nih)
• Locations: 1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
• Trial ID: NCT05677321 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to compare the taste and smell perceptions of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) to those without. Participants aged 18 to 65 will undergo various tests to assess their chemosensory functions and provide biological samples. The study will explore how variations in taste and smell may influence alcohol consumption behaviors and identify potential biomarkers associated with these sensory alterations. Participants will have two study visits, during which they will complete questionnaires and undergo body composition scans.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 18 to 65, both with and without a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.

Not a fit: Patients with morbid obesity or certain renal diseases may not benefit from this study due to exclusion criteria.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how taste and smell alterations affect alcohol consumption, potentially leading to improved interventions for AUD.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on taste and smell variations in AUD, studies on sensory perception in substance use disorders have shown promising results.

Eligibility criteria

* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all the following criteria:

* Individuals between 18 to 65 years of age. Although the age range of participants recruited in the NIAAA Natural History protocol is between 18-77 years, due to documented knowledge that taste and smell diminishes with age, we will limit age to this range.
* Individuals with a diagnosis of AUD (for the AUD cohort) OR without a diagnosis of AUD (for the non-AUD cohort) per clinician assessment
* Able to provide their own consent.
* Due to the extensive questionnaires (administered in English language only) that participants must complete independently, fluency in the English language is needed. Hence, participants must be able to read and understand English.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:

* Diagnosis by a medical professional of morbid obesity or BMI \> 40 or renal disease.
* Any history of chronic rhinitis, eating disorder, chronic upper respiratory infection, chronic allergic rhinitis, or nasal polyps in the last 6 months of screening, or current daily use of nasal sprays.
* Altered cranial nerves associated with taste and olfaction identified by neurological evaluation during physical exam (screening visit).
* Positive pregnancy test, currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
* Hypoglycemic drug intake.
* Currently using medications known to inhibit taste response (GLP1 agonists).
* Currently experiencing temporary change/loss of taste and/or smell (individual may be rescreened when symptoms resolve).
* Persistent loss of taste and/or smell due to COVID-19 or other reason.
* NIAAA employees/staff or subordinates/relatives/co-workers of NIAAA employees/staff or study investigators.

fMRI Exclusion Criteria

* claustrophobia
* Ferromagnetic metal in the cranial cavity or eye, e.g., aneurysm clip implanted neural stimulator, cochlear implant, ocular foreign body.
* Presence of implanted cardiac pacemaker or auto-defibrillator.
* Individuals with an insulin pump.
* Presence of an irremovable body piercing.
* Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding during screening, or who become pregnant during the study, will be excluded from participation due to risk of exposing the fetus to undue magnetic field hazards associated with MRI.

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

• National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — Bethesda, Maryland, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Paule V Joseph, C.R.N.P. — National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
• Study coordinator: Chiquita L West

Conditions: Alcohol Use Disorder, chemosensation, Preference, Natural History