Brain activity corresponding to swallowing and hands activity: narrative review

Abstract

Objective. To analyse the relationship between the level of brain activity during the hand motor act and swallowing in studies that used Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FMRI). Method. A narrative literature review was carried out, and the data sources were obtained from Pubmed, BVS, and Google Scholar platforms. Results. Few studies were found that investigated the neurological activation correlated to the movement of hands and swallowing through FMRI, but all studies show a topographic relationship between the main areas for activity of hands and swallowing, as well as some studies showing some neurofunctional relationship between both concurrent activities. Conclusion. It is known that the precentral gyrus has significant areas innervating the hands and oral cavity, which are in nearby areas, being subject to questions about function interactions. The findings already described may encourage studies and discussions, but more research is needed to describe and measure the relationship between the motor areas of the hands and swallowing.