Activity in the premotor area related to bite force control--a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the influence of bite force control on oxygenated hemoglobin (OxyHb) levels in regional cerebral blood flow as an indicator of brain activity in the premotor area. Healthy right-handed volunteers with no subjective or objective symptoms of problems of the stomatognathic system or cervicofacial region were included. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to determine OxyHb levels in the premotor area during bite force control. A bite block equipped with an occlusal force sensor was prepared to measure clenching at the position where the right upper and lower canine cusps come into contact. Intensity of clenching was shown on a display and feedback was provided to the subjects. Intensity was set at 20, 50 and 80% of maximum voluntary teeth clenching force. To minimize the effect of the temporal muscle on the working side of the jaw, the fNIRS probes were positioned contralaterally, in the left region. The findings of this study are: activation of the premotor area with bite force control was noted in all subjects, and in the group analysis OxyHb in the premotor cortex was significantly increased as the clenching strengthened at 20, 50 and 80% of maximum voluntary clenching force. These results suggest there is a possibility that the premotor area is involved in bite force control.