嚥下の神経機構
Oropharyngeal swallowing, generated by central pattern generator(CPG)in the medulla oblongata, is one of the most elaborated motor patterns in the mammal. Especially in the pharyngeal stage of swallowing, meal bolus transits the common tract for both upper air way and alimentary canal. In order to prevent the meal bolus invading into the lower airway, the sequence of motor output pattern in this stage is quite stereo-typed. On the other hand, role of the suprabalbar structures for swallowing motor act is controversial. Swallowing cortex may facilitate transition from voluntarily initiated oral stage to reflexogenic pharyngeal stage, by controlling the threshold to activate the CPG for pharyngeal swallowing. Basal ganglia of the brain may also affect the excitability to activate the CPG for swallowing through adjusting the concentration of substance P in the peripheral nerves. In the near future non-invasive brain mapping technique such as functional MRI and magnetoencephalography will elucidate the function of these brain structures for swallowing and pathophysiology of dysphagia
Downloadable Article, 2007
高次脳機能研究 （旧 失語症研究）, 27, 20070930, 215
2007