Cortical input in control of swallowing.
OBJECTIVE
This review presents a current synopsis of newer research in cortical control of swallowing and its relationship to advancing knowledge in the field of human swallowing neurophysiology. The intent is to highlight recent findings and to stimulate potential research questions not yet investigated.


RESULTS
Advances in human brain imaging have led to a wealth of newer insights into the cortical and subcortical control of human swallowing. This includes a better understanding of the hemispheric contributions to swallowing control and the mechanisms that underlie recovery or compensation after neurological injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Through advances in imaging and neuroimaging techniques, our knowledge of the neuroanatomy and physiology of swallowing has increased dramatically over the last decade. Integration and interconnection of the diverse swallowing cortical network and how sensory input influences swallowing cortical activation has started to provide a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underpin this exquisite yet fundamental sensorimotor function. Experimental paradigms for swallowing neural reorganization have begun to provide evidence for their translation into clinical practice for dysphagia rehabilitation.
School of Translational Medicine, Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, The University of Manchester, Hope Hospital, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Eccles Old Road, Salford M6 8HD, UK. shaheen.hamdy@manchester.ac.uk
Emilia
E
Michou
Shaheen
S
Hamdy
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000503:physiopathology; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015225:Magnetoencephalography; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010614:Pharynx / Q000294:innervation; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D014059:Tongue / Q000294:innervation; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation