Characteristics of cerebral cortex activation in different swallowing periods based on near-infrared spectroscopy / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo explore the cerebral cortex activation in different swallowing periods using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). MethodsFrom October to December 2023, a total of 18 healthy adults were recruited to perform four tasks of visual stimulation, chewing, tongue tip sliding and repeated swallowing during fNIRS acquisition, to calculate the cortical activation β values covering a total of 41 channels in frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. ResultsDuring the preoral period, the bilateral pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PSMC), bilateral inferior prefrontal gyrus, right visual association cortex (AVC), and left primary motor cortex (PMC) were significantly activated (P < 0.05). During oral preparation, the right pars triangularis (PTG), right frontal polar area (FPA), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DPC), left primary somatosensory cortex (PSC), left PSMC and left PMC were significantly activated (P < 0.05). During the transition between oral and pharyngeal phases, bilateral PSMC and bilateral PMC were significantly activated (P < 0.05). Bilateral PSC, bilateral PTG, bilateral FPA, bilateral orbitofrontal area, bilateral PSMC, bilateral DPC and bilateral PMC were significantly activated during two consecutive periods of oral and pharyngeal phases (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe swallowing movement requires the coordination of the frontal, parietal and occipital cortex. The main activated brain areas are different in different swallowing stages, and the PSMC and PMC are involved in most swallowing stages.