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. 2015 Aug;8(2):61-77.
doi: 10.1007/s12078-015-9190-y. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

Using Animal Models to Determine the Role of Gustatory Neural Input in the Control of Ingestive Behavior and the Maintenance of Body Weight

Dana L Ciullo  1 , Cedrick D Dotson  1
Affiliations

Using Animal Models to Determine the Role of Gustatory Neural Input in the Control of Ingestive Behavior and the Maintenance of Body Weight

Dana L Ciullo et al. Chemosens Percept. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Decades of research have suggested that nutritional intake contributes to the development of human disease, mainly by influencing the development of obesity and obesity-related conditions. A relatively large body of research indicates that functional variation in human taste perception can influence nutritional intake as well as body mass accumulation. However, there are a considerable number of studies that suggest that no link between these variables actually exists. These discrepancies in the literature likely result from the confounding influence of a variety of other, uncontrolled, factors that can influence ingestive behavior.

Strategy: In this review, the use of controlled animal experimentation to alleviate at least some of these issues related to the lack of control of experimental variables is discussed. Specific examples of the use of some of these techniques are examined.

Discussion and conclusions: The review will close with some specific suggestions aimed at strengthening the link between gustatory neural input and its putative influence on ingestive behaviors and the maintenance of body weight.

Keywords: Animal models; Food intake; Gustatory neurotomy; Meal pattern analysis; Taste.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Body mass values assessed for sham, CTx, and TRIPLEx groups measured over the entire pre- and postsurgical period (means±SE). CTx=rats that had combined bilateral transection the chorda tympani nerve and exposure of the greater superficial petrosal nerve; TRIPLEx=rats that had combined bilateral transection of the chorda tympani nerve, greater superficial petrosal nerve, and glossopharyngeal nerve. Reproduced, with permission, from Dotson et al. (2012b)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Daily meal bout size (left), meal bout number (middle), and meal bout rate (right) when ingesting a sweetened-milk diet (top) and an oil-chow mash (bottom) by sham and TRIPLEx groups measured for 3 weeks postsurgery. Reproduced, with permission, from Dotson et al. (2012b)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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