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Decoding the hidden mechanisms of swallowing using comparative physiology in mammalian models
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Karaneh Mahdavi   , Kimia Mahdavi , Morteza Zendehdel *  |
| Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (17 Views) |
| Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are among the most common and dangerous consequences of neurological diseases; however, their hidden mechanisms remain unknown due to limitations of invasive human studies. This narrative review adopts a "decoding" approach to demonstrate how comparative physiology in mammalian models uncovers the hidden layers of swallowing mechanisms and what insights this provides for speech therapy. At the comparative anatomical level, X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM) studies in macaques have refuted the traditional hypothesis of a dominant hyoid muscle role in tongue base retraction, instead revealing intrinsic tongue compression. At the biomechanical level, three-dimensional imaging in pigs and macaques has revealed complex tongue flexion and roll patterns during mastication and swallowing, showing striking similarity to human tongue movements. At the neural control level, simultaneous recordings from multi-electrode arrays in macaque primary motor cortex and high-speed tongue imaging have proven precise encoding of tongue shape and motion in this region; a finding that strengthens the brain-machine interface promise for swallowing rehabilitation. At the clinical level, rodent models of nerve injury and models of neurodegenerative diseases, including stroke, Parkinson's, and ALS, have enabled novel therapy screening and identification of phenotype-specific pathophysiological elements. Overall, comparative physiology, by decoding the anatomical, biomechanical, and neural layers of swallowing, has not only refuted old hypotheses but also opened practical pathways for targeted dysphagia diagnosis and treatment. Understanding mechanism diversity across mammalian species provides a systematic framework for appropriate animal model selection and designing targeted speech therapy interventions. |
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| Keywords: Swallowing, Dysphagia, Comparative physiology, Speech therapy, Mammalian models |
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Full-Text [PDF 1302 kb]
(5 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review Article -by invitation |
Subject:
Neuroscience
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