title: Oral perception of liquid volume changes with age.
abstract: Bolus volume has been widely studied, and research has demonstrated a variety of physiological impacts on swallowing and swallowing disorders. Oral perception of bolus volume has not, to our knowledge, been investigated in association with normal ageing processes. Research suggests many sensory changes with age, some within the oral cavity, and changes in swallowing function with age have been defined. The role of perception in oropharyngeal deglutition with age requires further investigation. The purpose of this study was to establish the psychophysical relationship between liquid volume and oral perception and examine changes with age. Healthy young and older adults were prospectively assessed using a magnitude estimation task differentiating five volumes of water delivered randomly to the oral cavity. Results suggest a fourfold increase in liquid volume is required by older participants to perceive an approximate twofold increase in the perception of volume compared with younger healthy adults. Sensory receptors in the oral cavity provide a feedback loop that modulates the swallowing motor response so that it is optimal for the size and consistency of the bolus. Changes in perception of bolus volume with age are consistent with other perceptual changes and may provide valuable information regarding sensorineural rehabilitation strategies in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamarunas
authors.affiliation: College of Health Sciences, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: McCullough
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mennemeier
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Neuroscience, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Munn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology*; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds
keywords: bolus volume; deglutition; dysphagia; perception; swallowing