Abstract
There are distinct cortical masticatory areas, CMAs, which induce different patterns of jaw movements when stimulated: A‐area and P‐area. Swallowing is inhibited during A‐area stimulation but P‐area stimulation elicits both chew and swallow. The neural integration of chewing, swallowing, and breathing is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that stimulation of the A‐area will not alter breathing; whereas, P‐area stimulation will cause inhibition of breathing during an elicited swallow. Animals were implanted with EMG electrodes in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, diaphragm, masseter, caudal digastricus, and cranial digastricus muscles. After 4‐7 days recovery, the rats were anesthetized and placed in a stereotaxic apparatus. The CMAs were exposed. A‐area and P‐area were stimulated at 30 Hz, 0.02 ms pulse width with 1‐10 second trains using a concentric electrode. Swallows were also elicited by probing the oropharynx before, during and after cortical stimulation. Swallows elicited before cortical stimulation increased Te and Ttot. A‐area stimulation elicited only chew muscle activity with no effect on breathing. P‐area stimulation elicited swallows which increased Te and Ttot. These results suggest that A‐area stimulation does not modulate respiration, whereas, P‐area stimulation does. This suggests that these areas may be involved in cortical control of upper airway behavior.
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