Effects of capsaicin oral stimulation on cerebral cortex hemodynamics in stroke survivors with dysphagia observed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy
10.3760/cma.j.cn421666-20250331-00281
- VernacularTitle:辣椒素口腔刺激对脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者大脑皮质血流动力学信号影响的功能性近红外光谱成像观察
- Author:
Xiaohan LI
1
;
Lifeng TANG
1
;
Mengbi GU
1
;
Kun WEI
1
;
Min TANG
1
Author Information
1. 宁波市康复医院神经康复科，宁波 315040
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy;
Stroke;
Dysphagia;
Capsaicin
- From:
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
2025;47(10):906-913
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the effect of oral capsaicin stimulation on the cerebral cortex hemodynamics of patients with post-stroke dysphagia (PSD).Methods:Thirty-four PSD patients were subjected to oral stimulation with either a saline or a capsaicin solution. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to document any changes in cortical oxyhemoglobin (HbO) concentrations and cortical activation. Functional connectivity (FC) and hemispheric lateralization were analyzed.Results:(1) Capsaicin stimulation significantly increased HbO concentration in the prefrontal and motor areas, producing significantly greater activation than saline stimulation and the resting state. (2) Both saline and capsaicin oral stimulation enhanced whole brain FC, with capsaicin producing a more pronounced increase between the bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right motor cortex. (3) Both saline and capsaicin stimulation induced a right-hemispheric lateralization trend in the whole brain and the prefrontal cortex, while the motor cortex maintained a left-lateralization pattern. Notably, the lateralization index under capsaicin oral stimulation was significantly higher than that under saline oral stimulation.Conclusions:Compared with the resting state and saline stimulation, capsaicin oral stimulation significantly enhances cortical activation above the resting state, and significantly more than saline stimulation. It increases FC between the prefrontal and motor cortices, and promotes adjustments in brain lateralization patterns in persons with PSD.
