# Behavioral and neural measures of oral carbohydrate and sweetener reward signals

> **NIH NIH R21** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $232,909

## Abstract

Abstract
The metabolic signaling pathway in T1r3+ mouse taste cells are similar to that found in pancreatic beta islet cells
that sense calories from glucose. This signaling pathway is comprised of glucose transporters (GLUTs & SGLTs),
glucokinase, and the ATP-gated potassium channel (KATP). Human taste cells have a similar pathway. The oral
disaccharidase enzymes, first found in the brush border of the gut, that sever glycosidic bonds are expressed
orally in rodents; but, beyond our unpublished preliminary data, this has not been shown in humans. We
hypothesize that oral disaccharidases are necessary to free glucose and other monosaccharides to activate the
metabolic signaling pathway. We also hypothesize that these enzymes in humans enable the metabolic
responses of taste cells to contribute to transduction and perception of disaccharide taste. We propose that this
results in stronger preferences for disaccharides over non-caloric sweeteners. We hypothesize further that the
release of glucose from disaccharide cleaving, its transport into taste cells, and its metabolism to generate ATP
leads to taste signaling. This signal may also contribute to anticipatory metabolic responses in humans during
carbohydrate tolerance tests. In Aim 1 we will determine whether oral metabolic signaling contributes to
disaccharide perception, metabolic tolerance, liking and preference in humans. In Aim 2 we will determine
whether oral metabolic signals influence licking and motivated behaviors in rats and where in the brain these
signals are registered. If sugar reward signaling can be manipulated by modulating oral disaccharidase activity,
then there should be therapeutic utility to developing a strategy to maximize reward while reducing sugar intake.
Improving our understanding of the role oral glucose metabolic signaling plays in human taste should help
prevent and reduce obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome that afflict approximately one-third of all
Americans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10532978
- **Project number:** 1R21DC020365-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Paul A. S Breslin
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $232,909
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10532978

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10532978, Behavioral and neural measures of oral carbohydrate and sweetener reward signals (1R21DC020365-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10532978. Licensed CC0.

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