Periodontal tactile input activates the prefrontal cortex.
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a role in complex cognitive behavioural planning, decision-making, and social behaviours. However, the effects of sensory integration during motor tasks on PFC activation have not been studied to date. Therefore, we investigated the effect of peripheral sensory information and external information on PFC activation using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was increased around bilateral Brodmann areas 46 and 10 during visual and auditory information integration during an occlusal force (biting) task. After local anesthesia, CBF values were significantly decreased, but occlusal force was similar. In conclusion, the effects of peripheral sensory information from the periodontal ligament and external information have minimal impacts on occlusal force maintenance but are important for PFC activation.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.
Nobuaki
N
Higaki
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.
Takaharu
T
Goto
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8504, Japan.
Tetsuo
T
Ichikawa
D000328:Adult; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D001732:Bite Force; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D055698:Touch Perception