# Mechanisms of long-term taste loss in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19

> **NIH NIH R01** · MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER · 2022 · $423,308

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
SARS-CoV-2 has infected >340 million people worldwide, including >70 million Americans. Roughly 40-45% of
these patients have reported taste abnormalities. While taste function is restored quickly in many patients,
recent studies show that about 10-20% of patients suffer from sustained taste loss that lasts longer than 6
months. Long-term taste loss significantly impacts health – decreasing quality of life and contributing to
malnutrition, anxiety, and depression. Currently, the mechanism of long-term taste loss associated with
COVID-19 infection is poorly understood, and there is no effective treatment for it. In order to develop
treatment strategies, it is necessary to determine what factors contribute to long-term taste loss. Multiple
antiviral mechanisms have evolved to protect us from the vast number of viral pathogens. However, these
mechanisms can be weakened by genetic or environmental factors. Recent studies show that inborn genetic
errors in some antiviral genes contribute to the severity of COVID-19, but whether these genetic errors also
contribute to severe, long-term taste loss is unknown. In this study, we will use animal models to simulate
patients with inborn genetic errors in antiviral pathways to specifically investigate whether and how these
genetic defects contribute to long-term taste loss after acute COVID-19. We will further determine whether and
which inflammatory factors in host immune responses inhibit taste bud regeneration and thus contribute to
sustained taste loss. Mechanisms identified in this study may also apply to long-lasting symptoms in other
organ systems and help to develop treatments for long-term chemosensory loss.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10554842
- **Project number:** 3R01DC018042-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Hong Wang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $423,308
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-04-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10554842

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10554842, Mechanisms of long-term taste loss in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (3R01DC018042-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10554842. Licensed CC0.

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