The Norwegian Smell and Taste in Autism Study; NOR-STAS: Smell and taste in adolescents referred for evaluation of autism (2022 – ongoing)

Group members (OUS): Beate Ørbeck, Marianne Mørdre

Collaborators: Professor Thomas Hummel (Universitäklinikum Carl Gustav Carus
an der Technischen Universität Dresden), Professors Lars T. Westlye and Terje Nærland (UiO).

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) describes persistent difficulties with social communication and restricted repetitive behavior. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspect of the environment was included in the latest diagnostic criteria. The senses of smell and taste are important for our quality of life. Those who have altered experiences of smell and taste may experience discomfort in daily life as a result, and this may affect the way they react and interact with others. Furthermore, studies have found that the sense of smell and taste also affects the kind of food we choose. Smell and taste are sparsely investigated with psychophysical measures in adolescents with ASD. We will investigate the possible relation between smell and taste function and the quite common selective eating patterns in ASD.

We will include adolescents aged 12-18 years who are referred to Oslo University Hospital for an evaluation of ASD. Psychophysical measures of smell and taste and questionnaires concerning sensory experiences and eating behaviour will be collected from the participants. 

The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about smell and taste function and selective eating patterns in adolescents with ASD. Hopefully, this will shed light on some aspects of the disorder that can be clinically useful in diagnostics and treatments of ASD. 

The project is initiated by BUPForsk, and data collection started in 2023. 

Read more about the project here (in Norwegian):
Autisme i dag 3-2023 (flippingbook.com)