Neuroplasticity and Swallowing

Abstract

Recent research has suggested that the central nervous system controlling swallowing can undergo experience-dependent plasticity. Moreover, swallowing neuroplastic change may be associated with behavioural modulation. This article presents research evidence suggesting that nonbehavioural and behavioural interventions, as well as injury, can induce swallowing neuroplasticity. These studies indicate that while swallowing and limb neuroplasticity share certain features, certain principles of swallowing neuroplasticity may be distinct. Thus, an understanding of swallowing neuroplasticity is necessary in terms of explaining and predicting the (1) behavioural effects of injury to the swallowing nervous system and (2) effects of swallowing interventions applied in rehabilitation.

Effects of Carbonated Liquids on Oropharyngeal Swallowing Measures in People with Neurogenic Dysphagia

“…A number of studies have suggested that heightening the sensory input via sensory techniques may be the best approach to managing CNS oropharyngeal dysphagia [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The provision of increased or specific sensory input to the oropharyngeal receptors might enhance the excitability of the central pathway.…”

Dysphagia after stroke and its management

“…15 More recently, there is growing evidence that the neural network for swallowing is capable of experience-dependent plasticity. 16 This in turn has fuelled the development of several experimental interventions for dysphagia. For example, sensory stimulation of the oropharynx with airpulse trains has been shown to increase resting swallowing rates in tube-fed patients with dysphagia after stroke 17 and activate the cortical swallowing network in controls.…”

Neuroplasticity of face sensorimotor cortex and implications for control of orofacial movements

“…This evidence includes (i) the extensive connections between face SI and MI, (ii) motor outputs from SI as well as MI to brainstem regions involved in motor as well as somatosensory functions, and (iii) the SI and MI neuronal motor-related activity patterns and motor effects of SI or MI stimulation or lesions (see Refs. [2,[6][7][8][9][10]) as noted below.…”