Abstract
Multiple chemical sensitivity is a controversial diagnosis. Rigorous, controlled, laboratory-based research can reduce this controversy and lead to potential clinical confirmatory tests. The literature on human caffeine discrimination provides a rigorous methodology that can address reports that patients who suffer multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are sensitive to usually well-tolerated chemical doses; the studies require patients to discriminate caffeine from placebo under double-blind conditions. Several issues relevant to the conduct of caffeine discrimination studies using MCS patients as subjects are addressed; these issues include study design, determination of safe and tolerable training doses, and discrimination training. Such research will benefit patients and clinicians dealing with a diagnosis of MCS.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 509-513 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Environmental health perspectives |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1997 |
Keywords
- Caffeine
- Design issues
- Discrimination
- Methodology
- Multiple chemical sensitivity
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis