Reference data for Bayesian adaptive QUEST-based taste recognitions thresholds from pooled individual participant data

Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review

Contributors

Abstract

Reliable and standardized assessment of human taste function remains a critical need in clinical and research settings. Here, we pooled individual participants' data of gustatory recognition thresholds from 6 studies (N > 500) that employed a unified methodology combining taste sprays with an adaptive Bayesian algorithm (QUEST) across 4 basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Thresholds were estimated using a yes-no task format and psychometrically controlled stimuli, enabling efficient and precise estimation across individuals. Results revealed approximately normal distributions of thresholds within each modality, spanning 2 to 3 log units, and modest but consistent correlations between tastes. Gender and age influenced sensitivity, with women generally showing lower (better) thresholds than men, and older adults exhibiting reduced sensitivity, particularly for bitter and sweet tastes. A composite taste score derived from z-standardized thresholds showed stronger age- and gender-related effects than individual modalities, supporting its utility as a general index of taste function. These findings validate the use of the QUEST algorithm for gustatory psychophysics and provide preliminary normative data for taste sensitivity using time-efficient procedures. The consistency of results across studies supports the development of standardized protocols for clinical and population-level taste testing. Future research should extend this framework to broader populations and additional taste qualities to establish comprehensive benchmarks for gustatory health.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numberbjag015
Number of pages11
JournalChemical senses
Volume51
Publication statusPublished - 2 Mar 2026
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 42311180
Scopus 105043873559
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/221402411
Mendeley a59fa8a0-7575-3faf-bea6-649597af1300

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Gustation, Psychophysics, Taste acuity, Taste function, Taste sensitivity