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Simulated microgravity [bed rest] has little influence on taste, odor or trigeminal sensitivityAnecdotal evidence suggests that astronauts' perceptions of foods in space flight may differ from their perceptions of the same foods on Earth. Fluid shifts toward the head experienced in space may alter the astronauts' sensitivity to odors and tastes, producing altered perceptions. Our objective was to determine whether head-down bed rest, which produces similar fluid shifts, would produce changes in sensitivity to taste, odor or trigeminal sensations. Six subjects were rested three times prior to bed rest, three times during bed rest and two times after bed rest to determine their threshold sensitivity to the odors isoamylbutyrate and menthone, the tastants sucrose, sodium chloride, citric acid, quinine and monosodium glutamate, and to capsaicin. Thresholds were measured using a modified staircase procedure. Self-reported congestion was also recorded at each test time. Thresholds for monosodium glutamate where slightly higher during bed rest. None of the other thresholds were altered by bed rest.
Document ID
20040088115
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Vickers, Z. M.
(University of Minnesota St. Paul, MN 55108, United States)
Rice, B. L.
Rose, M. S.
Lane, H. W.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 2001
Publication Information
Publication: Journal Of Sensory Studies
Volume: 16
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0887-8250
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center JSC
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology

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