PTC perception and olfactory identification were assessed in 48 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, 28 first-degree relatives, and 32 healthy volunteers.
The three groups did not differ in PTC taste sensitivity. Findings did not change after: a sensitivity analysis that re-categorized participants who “possibly” tasted PTC, excluding Caucasian participants, or restricting the sample of patients to only those with schizophrenia. Among the patients, tasters and nontasters did not differ with regard to positive, negative, or general psychopathology symptoms. In the combined sample and the three groups separately, there were no associations between PTC-tasting status and olfactory identification scores.
This study, conducted specifically as an attempt to replicate previously reported findings, failed to provide support for PTC perception as an endophenotypic marker for schizophrenia. Further research is warranted.