[A new approach to pneumonia in the elderly: pathophysiology and therapy]

Pneumonia is a major cause of death in the elderly. Swallowing disorders caused by cerebrovascular diseases can cause frequent aspiration during sleep, which can result in pneumonia. Patients with aspiration pneumonia may have abnormalities in systems involving dopamine-substance P in the central and peripheral nervous system. Activation of these systems may benefit elderly people with swallowing disorders.