Effects of Tongue Pressure on Cerebral Blood Volume Dynamics: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study.

Hidemasa Miyata,Tetsuji Okamoto,Shigeaki Toratani,Ryouji Tani

doi:10.3390/brainsci12020296

Hidemasa Miyata, Tetsuji Okamoto + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12020296

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Abstract

Tongue pressure measurement (TPM) is an indicator of oral function. However, the association between tongue pressure and cerebral activation remains unclear. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to examine the correlation between cerebral cortex activation and tongue pressure stimulation against the anterior palatal mucosa. We measured voluntary maximum tongue pressure (MTP) using a TPM device; a pressure value of approximately 60% of the MTP was used for the experimental tongue pressure (MTP60%). We examined the effect of oral functional tongue pressure stimulation against the anterior palatal mucosa on cerebral activation using NIRS in 13 adults. Tongue pressure stimulation caused significant changes in cerebral blood flow in some areas compared with controls (p < 0.05). We performed a correlation analysis (p < 0.05) between MTP60% and changes in oxygenated hemoglobin in all 47 NIRS channels. MTP60% triggered activation of the right somatosensory motor area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and deactivation of the anterior prefrontal cortex (APFC). TPM balloon-probe insertion in the oral cavity activated the bilateral somatosensory motor area and deactivated the wide area of the APFC. Moreover, MTP60% via the TPM balloon probe activated the bilateral somatosensory and motor cortex areas. Tongue pressure stimulation changes cerebral blood flow, and NIRS is useful in investigating the relationship between oral stimulation and brain function.

Highlights

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralIn ageing societies, cognitive decline and physical deterioration pose serious healthrelated challenges and are symptomatic of various diseases
The purpose of this study was to examine regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) induced by tongue pressure against the anterior palatal mucosa and oral functional training (OFT) with tongue pressure measurement (TPM) stimulation
The results showed a mean maximum tongue pressure (MTP) value of 41.2 kPa, which which is is indicative indicative of of mild mild oral oral functional functional stimulation

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralIn ageing societies, cognitive decline and physical deterioration pose serious healthrelated challenges and are symptomatic of various diseases. Oral functional deterioration is a cause of mortality owing to its relationship with both dysphagia [1] and respiratory disorders. Oral functional deterioration assessments have been developed, such as tongue pressure measurement (TPM), which is used as a simple, objective indicator in Japan. Previous studies have utilized TPM for detecting swallowing disorders caused by low tongue pressure [2] and for oral functional training (OFT) in dysphagic patients [1]. Is effective in oral functional assessment and OFT. It was suggested that mastication increases regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) [4]. Sensory stimulation of the oral mucosa increases regional CBF [5]. The mechanisms by which oral functional stimulation affects regional cerebral function remain unknown [8,9]

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