# Investigating alterations in gustatory neuron innervation and function over the course of chemotherapy treatment

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO · 2024 · $40,594

## Abstract

Abstract
Chemotherapy treatment frequently results in taste alterations that significantly impact patients' quality of life
and recovery. While transient loss of taste receptor cells (TRCs) has been observed in mice after
chemotherapy, this does not fully explain the prolonged taste disruptions reported by human patients. My
preliminary data indicates that gustatory fiber innervation in taste buds is reduced shortly after chemotherapy,
but the recovery of these connections and their effects on taste response remain unclear. This study aims to
investigate the timeline of gustatory fiber recovery after cyclophosphamide (CYP) treatment and assess the
strength and specificity changes in taste signaling. To determine the time course of gustatory fiber
reinnervation within taste buds after CYP treatment, I will use immunohistochemistry and intravital imaging to
monitor the recovery of gustatory fibers and taste synapses over 20+ days post-treatment. To assess the
degree to which cyclophosphamide alters the strength and specificity of taste signaling in mice, I will use
whole-nerve recording and in-vivo calcium imaging. This proposal is designed to unravel the recovery process
of gustatory fiber innervation after chemotherapy and explore strength and specificity changes in taste
signaling. In addition, activities planned for this proposal will strengthen my career development and training to
achieve my goal of becoming a leader in investigating neuro-immune interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10903514
- **Project number:** 1F31DC021875-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan Wood
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $40,594
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10903514

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10903514, Investigating alterations in gustatory neuron innervation and function over the course of chemotherapy treatment (1F31DC021875-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10903514. Licensed CC0.

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