Spontaneous fetal swallowing occurs at a markedly higher rate compared with spontaneous adult drinking activity. This high rate of fetal swallowing is critical for amniotic fluid volume regulation. Central NO is critical for maintaining the normal rate of fetal swallowing, as nonselective inhibition of NO (with central N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) suppresses spontaneous and angiotensin I...

background: oropharyngeal dysphagia following stroke enhances the risk of dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration  pneumonia, persistent disablement, and even death. screening of dysphagia has been shown to positively change health outcomes. the aim of the present study was to systematically introduce the published swallowing screening methods in patients with stroke and  their appropriateness fo...

Objective. To determine and describe the pathophysiological aspects of oropharyngeal swallowing in patients with Parkinson's disease more accurately, a pilot study of qualitative as well as quantitative parameters of swallowing was performed using videofluoroscopy (VFS). Methods. Ten patients with a diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease having dysphagic complaints and ten healthy age- and...

Many children of all ages with swallowing disorders now receive at least part of their swallowing therapy in the public schools. This article presents the various types of swallowing therapy available, including postural changes, sensory enhancements, changes in feeding processes, and exercise programs. Other therapy issues discussed include the relationship of the feeding process to swallowing...

The purpose of this retrospective study was to gain insight into the contribution of the dorsolateral pons to the coordination of swallowing and breathing in awake goats. In 4 goats, cannulas were chronically implanted bilaterally through the lateral (LPBN) and medial (MPBN) parabrachial nuclei just dorsal to the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus (KFN). After >2weeks recovery from this surgery, the goats w...

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of adding acupuncture to standard swallowing training for patients with dysphagia after stroke. DESIGN Single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING Inpatient and outpatient clinics. SUBJECTS A total of 124 patients with dysphagia after stroke were randomly divided into two groups: acupuncture and control. INTERVENTIONS The acupuncture group received s...

RATIONALE Malnutrition and aspiration are major problems in patients with neuromuscular disease. Because impaired swallowing contributes to malnutrition, means of improving swallowing are needed. OBJECTIVES To investigate interactions between breathing and swallowing in neuromuscular disorders and to evaluate the impact of mechanical ventilation (MV) on swallowing in tracheostomized patients....

Aspiration pneumonia remains a major cause of death in the elderly. However, fundamental and effective treatment has not been established yet. Onset of aspiration pneumonia is based on the presence of dysphagia, such as delayed triggering of the swallowing reflex. The swallowing reflex in the elderly is temperature sensitive, even if it is impaired. Swallowing reflex was delayed when the temper...