Changes in secreted salivary sodium are sufficient to alter salt taste sensitivity: use of signal detection measures with continuous monitoring of the oral environment.

A signal detection measure of NaCl taste sensitivity was developed with continuous monitoring of the Na+ concentration of the oral environment. Taste sensitivity was reduced when saliva was stimulated by chewing to secrete with elevated Na+ levels. Monitoring of the oral environment for Na+ allowed a computation of physical signal strengths for NaCl and water stimuli; changes in these strengths, brought about by variations in secreted salivary sodium, furnish an explanation for alterations in NaCl taste sensitivity.