Long-term longitudinal study of the interrelationship between oral and cognitive functions in the older people

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18628
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57050:Prosthodontics-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hatta Kodai 大阪大学, 大学院歯学研究科, 助教 (60845949)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔機能 / 認知機能 / 高齢者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to investigate how oral factors affect higher brain function and its functional domains in older adults living independently.
The study found that occlusal strength was significantly related to executive function, memory, and attention; masticatory function to memory; tongue pressure to attention and language; RSST to executive function and attention; and lingual and oral motor function to all cognitive domains. The results suggest that the specific cognitive functional domains affected by oral function may vary.

Free Research Field

高齢者歯科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果、口腔機能によって、関わる高次脳機能が異なることが示唆された。この結果は、口腔因子がどの認知症に関連するかを知る手掛かりになり、医療関係者のみならず、日本国民へと広く影響を及ぼすことができると考えられる。