Recent Progress in Basic Research Concerning the Mechanisms Involved in Swallowing Using an Animal Model

Abstract

Basic research involved in swallowing is critical not only for understanding the basic mechanisms underlying swallowing but also for making clinical advances in swallowing assessments and treatments in light of the aging of society. Animal models should be used to investigate the neuronal mechanisms underlying the generation of swallowing to help clarify the pathophysiological basis of dysphagia, particularly in the pharyngeal stage of swallowing. These neuronal networks are predominantly controlled by the swallowing central pattern generator (Sw-CPG) within the medulla by which the stereotyped and replicable movement of pharyngeal swallowing is generated. Previous studies have investigated brainstem mechanisms that control pharyngeal swallowing in various kinds of animals and experimental settings. In addition, an experimental model with an arterial perfused brainstem preparation has recently been preferred for analyzing the neuronal characteristics of swallowing interneurons as well as behavioral dynamics during swallowing. Further experiments are warranted to clarify the processing of neuronal signals within the Sw-CPG to facilitate the development of novel treatments for dysphagia.