Correlation Between Swallowing and Cognitive Brain Networks in Older Adults via Functional MRI

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Clinical evidence links swallowing function (dysphagia) with cognition, but underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear.
• Older adults are particularly susceptible to both cognitive impairment and dysphagia.
• Understanding this link is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare brain activation patterns during swallowing and cognitive tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To identify shared neural networks involved in both functions.
• To explore the relationship between brain activity in these shared regions and cognitive performance.

Main Methods:

• Task-related fMRI was performed on 13 healthy older adults (age > 60).
• Participants completed swallowing (thickened water) and cognitive (Stroop Colour Word Test) tasks.
• Analyses included general linear model (GLM) and correlation between brain activity and cognitive scores (MoCA).

Main Results:

• Common brain regions activated during both tasks included the occipital lobe, cerebellum, and frontal/parietal lobes.
• Activity in these shared regions negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores.
• Distinct prefrontal lobe activation patterns were observed between swallowing and cognitive tasks.

Conclusions:

• Swallowing and cognitive tasks engage overlapping brain regions.
• Activity in these common areas is inversely related to cognitive function, suggesting a shared neural basis.
• Findings offer insights into the dysphagia-cognition link and inform dysphagia rehabilitation strategies.