Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults

IntroductionThis study introduces an advanced gustometer to record Gustatory Event-Related Potentials (GERPs) in healthy young adults. We aimed to validate its functionality and reliability.MethodsThe gustometer includes a programmable controller, a human-machine interface, a modular pump system, an...

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Main Authors: Zhongyan Chen, Xiaolin Zhou, Chunjing Li, Jianfeng Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1534296/full
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author Zhongyan Chen
Xiaolin Zhou
Xiaolin Zhou
Chunjing Li
Jianfeng Liu
Jianfeng Liu
author_facet Zhongyan Chen
Xiaolin Zhou
Xiaolin Zhou
Chunjing Li
Jianfeng Liu
Jianfeng Liu
author_sort Zhongyan Chen
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study introduces an advanced gustometer to record Gustatory Event-Related Potentials (GERPs) in healthy young adults. We aimed to validate its functionality and reliability.MethodsThe gustometer includes a programmable controller, a human-machine interface, a modular pump system, and supporting hardware. The Neuro-Audio EEG platform recorded EEG data from 46 volunteers. Psychophysical gustatory tests assessed gustatory function. GERPs were tested using distilled water as a control and sodium chloride solutions (0.3 and 0.6%) as tastants. Tetracaine anesthetized the tongue surface to observe waveform changes and confirm GERP specificity. GERP responses were recorded at the Fz and Cz sites, focusing on the latency and amplitude of GERP P1 and P2 waves and their correlation with psychophysical test results. No stable waveforms were recorded with distilled water.ResultsAll subjects displayed stable GERP waveforms following salty stimulation. These waveforms disappeared post-anesthesia, confirming GERP specificity. The recorded GERP comprised P1-N1-P2 components. The latency of P1 and P2 waves decreased with increasing salt concentration (p < .05). No significant differences in latency were observed between the Fz and Cz sites. Additionally, 48% of subjects showed increased P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitudes with higher salty stimulation. The latency of P1 and P2 positively correlated with psychophysical test results.DiscussionThis novel gustometer effectively evoked reliable GERP waveforms. The study validated the consistency of GERP amplitude and latency with psychophysical tests, highlighting the gustometer’s potential for clinical and research applications in gustatory system.
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spelling doaj-art-45ca4ec096f64ac496a35ecc2f4ed77b2025-08-20T03:40:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neuroscience1662-453X2025-03-011910.3389/fnins.2025.15342961534296Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adultsZhongyan Chen0Xiaolin Zhou1Xiaolin Zhou2Chunjing Li3Jianfeng Liu4Jianfeng Liu5Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Changping Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing, ChinaChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, ChinaBeijing Yuda Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, ChinaChinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, ChinaIntroductionThis study introduces an advanced gustometer to record Gustatory Event-Related Potentials (GERPs) in healthy young adults. We aimed to validate its functionality and reliability.MethodsThe gustometer includes a programmable controller, a human-machine interface, a modular pump system, and supporting hardware. The Neuro-Audio EEG platform recorded EEG data from 46 volunteers. Psychophysical gustatory tests assessed gustatory function. GERPs were tested using distilled water as a control and sodium chloride solutions (0.3 and 0.6%) as tastants. Tetracaine anesthetized the tongue surface to observe waveform changes and confirm GERP specificity. GERP responses were recorded at the Fz and Cz sites, focusing on the latency and amplitude of GERP P1 and P2 waves and their correlation with psychophysical test results. No stable waveforms were recorded with distilled water.ResultsAll subjects displayed stable GERP waveforms following salty stimulation. These waveforms disappeared post-anesthesia, confirming GERP specificity. The recorded GERP comprised P1-N1-P2 components. The latency of P1 and P2 waves decreased with increasing salt concentration (p < .05). No significant differences in latency were observed between the Fz and Cz sites. Additionally, 48% of subjects showed increased P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitudes with higher salty stimulation. The latency of P1 and P2 positively correlated with psychophysical test results.DiscussionThis novel gustometer effectively evoked reliable GERP waveforms. The study validated the consistency of GERP amplitude and latency with psychophysical tests, highlighting the gustometer’s potential for clinical and research applications in gustatory system.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1534296/fullgustatory event-related potentialsgustometertastesalty stimulationpsychophysical tests
spellingShingle Zhongyan Chen
Xiaolin Zhou
Xiaolin Zhou
Chunjing Li
Jianfeng Liu
Jianfeng Liu
Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
Frontiers in Neuroscience
gustatory event-related potentials
gustometer
taste
salty stimulation
psychophysical tests
title Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
title_full Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
title_fullStr Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
title_full_unstemmed Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
title_short Advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event-related potentials in healthy young adults
title_sort advanced gustometer design for reliable recording of gustatory event related potentials in healthy young adults
topic gustatory event-related potentials
gustometer
taste
salty stimulation
psychophysical tests
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2025.1534296/full
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