A Study of Taste- and Olfactory-Evoked Potentials in Patients With Visual Impairment: Taste, Smell, and Vision

NCT07707219 · tracked via the Priya Life Science France tracker

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon

Phase

Not applicable

Started

2026-09

Last updated

2026-07-16

Condition(s) studied

Central Visual ImpairmentPeripherical Visual ImpairmentMacular Retinal DystrophyPeripherical Macular Dystrophy

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Taste and smell evaluationRecording of evoked potentials (EP)

Taste and smell evaluation: Determination of taste and smell ability scores using standardized methods (ETOC and Taste Strips)

Recording of evoked potentials (EP): A recording of gustatory evoked potentials (GEP) and olfactory evoked potentials (OEP) in response to stimuli consisting of sucrose solution, vanillin, and a combination of the two.

Study summary

Visual impairment, whether central or peripheral, may influence the plasticity of other sensory modalities, such as taste and smell. Taste-evoked potentials (TEPs) and smell-evoked potentials (SEPs)-methods for analyzing brain activity in response to taste and smell stimuli-allow for the objective assessment of these interactions. This approach has already demonstrated its value in the study of cognitive disorders. This study aims to demonstrate an enhancement of taste and smell capabilities that could compensate for specific visual impairments, particularly in situations involving food choices.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

18 Years

Max age

60 Years

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult: ≥ 18 years and ≤ 60 years * Individual who has given oral consent * Individual who has been fasting (no food, drink, or tobacco) for at least 1 hour prior to PEG and PEO measurement * No cognitive complaints and normal neurological examination. * Group of patients with visual impairment: A. Central: documented bilateral macular dystrophy (e.g., Stargardt disease, Best disease) with confirmed central scotoma (CV 24.2, 10.2, or 30.2). B. Peripheral: documented bilateral peripheral retinal dystrophy with confirmed peripheral involvement (CV 30-2 or 24-2). • Control group: a person with normal vision and no known ophthalmological abnormalities (normal visual acuity and fundus examination) who is precisely matched by sex and smoking status (former smoker who has quit vs. nonsmoker), and approximately matched by age (± 5 years) to a visually impaired participant included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: For this group: patients with visual impairments: * Individuals who are not enrolled in or eligible for a social security program * Individuals subject to a legal protective measure (guardianship, conservatorship) * Individuals subject to judicial safeguard measures * Adults who are legally incapacitated or unable to give informed consent * Documented COVID-19 infection within the 6 months prior to enrollment * Active smokers (≥1 cigarette per day) or users of any other inhaled substances (water pipe, cannabis, etc.) * Participants following a sugar-free diet * Participants with diabetes, of any type * Participants taking medication (ongoing during the study) that interferes with taste perception • Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's) * Individuals with braids, dreadlocks, or any other hairstyle that prevents electrodes from being placed in sufficiently precise locations on the scalp. * Overweight subjects with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m²

Primary outcome measure(s)

Average latency of PEG (Taste-Evoked Potentials) peaks — At the baseline
Measurement of the mean latency of taste-evoked potential peaks in visually impaired patients versus control subjects following purely gustatory stimulation (sucrose).
Average amplitude of PEG (Taste-Evoked Potentials) peaks — At the baseline
Measurement of the mean amplitude of taste-evoked potential peaks in visually impaired patients versus control subjects following purely gustatory stimulation (sucrose).

Trial sites (1)

Facility	City	Region	Status
Chu Dijon Bourgogne	Dijon	France

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT07707219 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in France