Natural capsaicinoids have a stronger therapeutic effect on VFS signs and swallow response by stimulating TRPV1 than TRPV1/A1 or TRPM8 agonists. While TRP stimulants increased bolus velocity and reduced swallow response times, thickeners reduced bolus velocity and further delayed the swallow response. This study sets the bases to develop new pharmacologic strategies for older patients with OD, moving away from compensation toward the recovery of swallow function.

In participants with SCI, cognitive dysfunctions are present in the subacute stage and worsen over time. From a clinical point of view, we confirmed the presence of cognitive dysfunction that may interfere with the first stage of rehabilitation which is the most intense and important. Moreover, cognitive dysfunction may be important beyond the end of the first stage of rehabilitation as it can affect an individual's quality of life and possible integration to society.

No abstract