Threshold Levels of Taste Perception and Severity of Depression

Abstract

The relationship between the severity of depression and the levels of taste perception was determined using one hundred and five healthy adults. Severity of depression was evaluated using the Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). The levels of taste perception was evaluated using tomita's taste test modified (by us) with a paper disk. The general evaluation of the ability to perceive taste in which the total score for four tastes was calculated, was performed using the threshold levels for four tastes. There was no significant difference in threshold levels for four tastes with respect to sex. There were significant weak statistical positive correlations between age and threshold of three tastes and the total score for four tastes. Results suggest that older people have higher threshold levels for tastes perception. There were significant weak statistical positive correlations between the threshold levels for two tastes and the total score for four tastes and the total score of the SDS. There is no significant correlation between age and the total score of the SDS. Results suggest that more depressive people have higher threshold levels for taste perception. Thus, the relationship between the level of taste perception and the severity of depression was indicated in this study. In our next study, as an approach to treating patients with depression, we will attempt to determine whether taste disorder in patients with depression is a state marker or a trait marker.