title: Effects of menthol on the triggering of the swallowing reflex in elderly patients with dysphagia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of menthol on swallowing reflex sensitivity in elderly patients with dysphagia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The swallowing reflex sensitivity of institutionalized elderly patients was evaluated as a latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR), induced by the injection of 1 ml solution into the pharynx. LTSR was significantly shortened in a concentration-dependent manner, from 13.8 s [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1, 16.5] by distilled water to 9.4 s (95% CI 7.1. 11.8) by 10(-2)m menthol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using menthol with elderly patients with dysphagia may improve the sensitivity of their swallowing reflex, resulting in prevention of aspiration pneumonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Takae
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ebihara
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ebihara
authors.forename: Aya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watando
authors.forename: Tatsuma
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asada
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohrui
authors.forename: Mutsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamaya
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arai
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008610:Menthol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012018:Reflex
chemical_list: D008610:Menthol