Neuroscientific analyses of ameliorative effects of mastication on depression and hart desease

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K20459
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Prosthodontics/ Dental materials science and
• Research Institution: Kanagawa Dental College
• Principal Investigator: Yamada Kentaro 神奈川歯科大学, 歯学部, 非常勤講師 (10550816)
• Research Collaborator: YAMAMOT Toshiharu
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 扁桃体 / 咀嚼運動 / 中脳中心灰白質 / 島皮質

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Chewing under stress suppressed the increase of stress-responding neurons in the insular cortex and periaqueductal grey matter that regulate circulatory system through the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata. This suggests the presence of possibility that chewing ameliorates heart disease. In addition, we demonstrated that chewing under stress increased GABA (gamma aminobutylic acid) efflux in the amygdala. The amygdala has inter-connections with the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that relate with depression. This suggests that chewing may be able to ameliorate depression.

Free Research Field

神経科学