The Bitter Touch: Acquired Tactile-Gustatory Synesthesia

Abstract Introduction Gustatory sensation in response to tactile stimulation has been reported occur only 0.6% of synesthetes and rarely formally described. Methods Case Study: A 29-year-old female with schizoaffective disorder – depressed subtype, two months prior presentation, began noticing that when she touched objects, would experience an abnormal taste her mouth. When touch specific items fingertips, for instance wood, bedsheets, tables, cups, plates, silverware, metal, trash cans, toothpaste induce a bitter taste. Touching wood caused the most intense glass did not precipitate Results Mental Status Examination: Disheveled guarded minimal eye contact. Anxious agitated. She believes people are stalking cell phones, radios, computers emit radiation which makes head burn as if it is on fire. perceived inanimate such furniture, were staring at her. Other: CT scan brain without contrast: normal. Discussion This could be due neural overactivation between regions neighborhood effect, cross-firing connecting fibers. The cortical area lies within Brodmann 43 parietal lobe includes pre- well post-central gyri extending into operculum. areas 3, 1, 2 postcentral gyrus where primary mediated. adjacent overlapping anatomical structures may explained by ephaptic transmission firing one causing discharge second, yclept adjacency principle.This co-localization hypothesis further supported occurrence pathological state seizures manifest both gustatory sensation. Such Anderson’s 1886 observation discussing peculiar right arm hand elicited concurrently Through overflow phenomenon, diffuse serotonergic more remote mediate their functions through serotonin, Possibly, other pathology invoked explain this synesthesia. deprived sensory system hyper-receptive stray or sensations then interpreted sensorily system, Charles Bonnet syndrome. In chemosensory sphere, deprivation associated hallucinations. If patient manifests deficit, have predisposed sensitivity overflowing stimulus from manifesting gustation. those who present synesthesia, investigation receiving concurrent warranted. Funding No