Temporal minor slow and sharp activity in psychiatric patients.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Temporal Muscle Swallowing Sounds (TMSSA) are an auditory phenomenon during swallowing.
• The prevalence and clinical significance of TMSSA in psychiatric populations are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence of TMSSA in psychiatric patients.
• To explore the association between TMSSA and various psychiatric disorders, particularly dementia.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1091 psychiatric patients.
• Clinical assessment and diagnostic evaluation for psychiatric disorders.
• Auditory detection of TMSSA during swallowing.

Main Results:

• TMSSA was detected in 4.7% of patients.
• Higher incidence observed in patients aged 40 and older.
• A notable association was found between TMSSA and cerebrovascular dementia.
• TMSSA was uncommon in primary degenerative dementia and absent in cerebrovascular disorders without dementia.
• TMSSA was frequently found in affective disorders, neurosis, and other functional disorders, suggesting mild cerebral dysfunction.
• A variant, TMSA, was more common in cerebrovascular disorders without dementia.

Conclusions:

• TMSSA may serve as a potential indicator of underlying mild cerebral dysfunction in certain psychiatric conditions.
• The findings suggest a specific link between TMSSA and cerebrovascular dementia.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical utility of TMSSA in psychiatry.