(PTFS05-03-26) The Effects of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use on Chemosensory Systems and Ingestive Behavior

Objectives: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly used for glucose management and weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Established mechanisms include enhanced glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppression of glucagon secretion, slowed gastric emptying, especially early in treatment, and reduced appetite and food intake. Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1RAs may also alter chemosensory function and food-related behaviors, although findings remain limited and inconsistent. This study examined associations of GLP-1RA use with chemosensory function and ingestive behavior.

Methods: This cross-sectional study examined associations of GLP-1RA use with chemosensory function and ingestive behavior in 3 groups (n = 25/group): individuals planning to initiate GLP-1RA use and individuals using GLP-1RAs for approximately 1 or 6 months. Outcomes included taste and olfactory function, hedonic responses to taste stimuli, food-related intrusive thoughts, food reward, food cue responsivity, attentional bias to food, cephalic-phase salivary response, and self-reported dietary intake. Groups were compared on pre-determined outcomes by analysis of variance.

Results: Preliminary analyses have revealed time- and domain-specific effects of GLP-1RA use. Sweet taste detection thresholds were higher (i.e., lower sensitivity) in the 6-month group than in pre-use group (p = 0.028), whereas the 1-month group showed a nonsignificant trend toward higher thresholds than controls (p = 0.05). No differences were observed for salty, sour, bitter or fatty taste qualities or olfactory function. Questionnaire measures indicated reduced food reward and cue responsivity in the six-month group compared to the other two groups. An increase in salivation from baseline after food-cue exposure was evident in the pre-use group and 6-month users, but not in 1-month users.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings support further study of associations among GLP-1RA-related sensory function, food cue responsiveness, food choice, and food intake.

Funding Sources: Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute