The changes in cortical functioning of persons with dysphagia after a left-side stroke as observed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20241008-00818
- VernacularTitle:基于功能性近红外光谱成像技术观察左侧脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者的皮质功能变化
- Author:
Ying WANG
1
;
Yufan PU
;
Huihuang WANG
;
Hong LIU
;
Xuejing LI
Author Information
1. 徐州医科大学附属淮安医院康复医学科，淮安 223002
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Dysphagia;
Stroke;
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(8):734-739
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze and compare differences in cortical functioning between patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD) following a left hemisphere stroke and healthy individuals using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:Twenty-six patients recovering from post-stroke dysphagia following a left hemisphere stroke formed the study′s PSD group, and 26 age-matched healthy subjects serves as the HC group. A 41-channel infrared spectroscope was used to record any changes in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentration while swallowing and at rest. The fNIRS data were statistically analyzed using Nirspark software. The β-values, reflecting the level of cortical activation, and the swallowing-related specific functional connectivity (FC) strength values (ΔFCs), representing task-specific FC strength, were extracted. The β-values and ΔFCs of the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with the HC group, the PSD group showed significantly reduced activation in Brodmann area (BA) 3/4/6/43 and BA4/6 of the left hemisphere during swallowing. Those areas correspond to the left primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), premotor cortex, and supplementary motor area (PM). Significantly reduced activation was observed in the PSD group in the right hemisphere at BA45/46/47, BA45/38/48, and BA10, corresponding to the right prefrontal cortex (PFC). The ΔFC values between the left PM-left M1, left PM-left S1, left M1-right S1, and left S1-right M1 in the PSD group were significantly lower than those in the HC group.Conclusions:Left hemispheric PSD is associated not only with decreased activation in the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex (M1, S1, PM) but also with functional decline in the contra-lesional PFC. During swallowing, persons with left hemispheric PSD exhibit extensive impairment in inter-cortical network connectivity, with particularly marked reductions in connectivity between their ipsilesional and contra-lesional sensorimotor cortices.
