Controlling the Distribution of Salty Taste Intensity on the Tongue Using Extraoral Galvanic Taste Stimulation

Abstract

Galvanic taste stimulation (GTS) alters taste intensity by applying a weak electric current around the oral cavity. Previous studies on GTS have captured the overall trend of taste changes in the oral cavity produced by GTS. However, it is not well known whether the potentiating or inhibitory effects of GTS result in a spatial gradient of taste perception in the oral cavity. Therefore, in this study, we examined the possibility of spatially selective modulation of taste intensity produced in the oral cavity by GTS. The results suggested that it is possible to present the intensity gradient of the perceived taste in the frontback and left-right directions, depending on the arrangement of the electrodes. These results are expected to contribute to the presentation of taste changes that are close to the actual eating and drinking experience, and to the provision of a new taste experience in which the taste is perceived as it moves through the oral cavity.