The relationship of autistic traits to taste and olfactory processing in anorexia nervosa.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a heightened prevalence of autism in anorexia nervosa (AN) compared to the general population. Autistic people with AN experience a longer illness duration and poorer treatment outcomes. Whether sensory differences in autism could contribute to altered taste and smell as a potential maintaining factor in AN is under-explored. The aim of this study was to explore whether autistic traits are associated with taste and olfaction differences in AN.

Methods

The study recruited n = 40 people with AN, and n = 40 healthy controls (HC). Smell sensitivity was measured using the Sniffin' Sticks test. Taste sensitivity was measured using taste strips. Participants self-rated their autistic traits using the Autism Spectrum Quotient.

Results

There were no signifi

SUBMITTER: Kinnaird E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7146886 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature