Functional responses of the brain during swallowing as evaluated by functional near-infrared spectroscopy
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20240704-00551
- VernacularTitle:基于功能性近红外光谱成像技术观察不同年龄人群在吞咽时其脑功能响应特征及差异
- Author:
Ruyao LIU
1
;
Yi LI
;
Heping LI
;
Liugen WANG
;
Xiguo CAI
;
Xi ZENG
Author Information
1. 郑州大学第一附属医院康复医学科，郑州 450000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy;
Swallowing;
Brain activation;
Age
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(2):97-102
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe any differences in the brain′s functional responses during swallowing with healthy young, middle-aged and elderly individuals.Methods:Fifteen healthy young people formed the youth group, while 15 healthy middle-aged or elderly subjects were the middle-aged and elderly group. Both groups performed repeated swallowing tasks while being observed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. The data were processed using NirSpark software, and brain activation was compared between the two groups.Results:Swallowing-related brain regions were all significantly activated in the youth group, while in the middle-aged and elderly group only the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (PSC), premotor and supplementary motor cortex (pSMC), and inferior central region on the left side showed significantly increased activation. Compared to the youth group, the middle-aged and elderly group exhibited significantly reduced activation in seven channels, including the right M1 and pSMC, the left M1, the pSMC, the PSC, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and frontal pole area.Conclusions:The middle-aged and elderly show significantly less activation in certain brain regions during swallowing compared with younger persons. That may be related to aging and its associated cognitive decline, as well as reduced motor and sensory abilities related to swallowing.
