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Expiratory Musculature Targeted Resistance Training Modulates Neural Connections During Swallowing Tasks: Preliminary
Rahul Krishnamurthy1,2, Douglas H Schultz3,4, Yingying Wang2,3
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Neural Plasticity
|August 14, 2025
Summary
Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) enhances brain activity in swallowing-related areas and motor learning regions. This suggests EMST may improve swallowing function and offer cognitive benefits through neuroplasticity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Motor Control
Background:
- Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) improves swallowing and aerodigestive functions.
- Neuroplasticity may mediate some of EMST's benefits through top-down brain influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in brain activation patterns during swallowing tasks before and after EMST.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying EMST's effects on swallowing.
Main Methods:
- Five healthy young adult men underwent 4 weeks of EMST.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measured blood-oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses during swallowing tasks at baseline and post-training.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in brain activation were observed in 12 regions post-EMST, including somatosensory cortex, motor cortex, cerebellum, and thalamus.
- Activation increased in areas related to motor learning and cognitive functions, beyond expected swallowing-related regions.
Conclusions:
- EMST modulates neural networks involved in swallowing, suggesting neuroplastic changes.
- Enhanced sensorimotor excitability, motor learning, and cognitive-sensorimotor integration likely contribute to EMST's benefits.
- EMST may offer cognitive and neuroprotective advantages in addition to improving aerodigestive functions.
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