Abstract
Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays an important role in human volition, but its function in swallowing is not well known. We tested the hypothesis that visual inputs given before volitional swallowing modulate the ACC activity. We evaluated the relationship between visual effect on swallowing “behavior” and “brain activity” using EMG (electromyography) and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging). Seven healthy volunteers participated in the EMG study, and 10 volunteers in the fMRI study. Visual images, i.e., photographs of food (DRINK) or general items (GENERAL), were used as the visual input and these were provided with (WS) or without (DS) water. Both behavioral and brain activity data were recorded during each trial in four (DRINK/WS, GENERAL/WS, DRINK/DS, GENERAL/DS) conditions. EMG study showed that the latency was significantly shorter with DRINK input than that with GENERAL input in the WS condition. Meanwhile, in the fMRI study, the maximum MR signal change was greater with GENERAL than that with DRINK in both WS and DS conditions. Thus, it appears that there was a relationship between swallowing behavior and the ACC activity in volitional swallowing.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
