Neural mechanisms of the effects of masticatory activity on cerebral functions

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24500635
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology
• Principal Investigator: HOTTA Harumi 地方独立行政法人東京都健康長寿医療センター(東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所), 東京都健康長寿医療センター研究所, 研究副部長 (70199511)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 咀嚼運動 / 脳血流 / 大脳皮質 / コリン作動系 / セントラルコマンド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to examine neural mechanisms of the effects of masticatory activity on cerebral functions, focusing on cholinergic vasodilator system originating in basal forebrain that is essential for cognition. In anesthetized rats, masseter muscle activity, regional cerebral cortical blood flow (rCBF) and cortical local field potential (LFP) were measured. Increase in rCBF was associated with an activation of masseter muscle and simultaneous desynchronization of cortical LFP. The rCBF response was preceded by excitation of basal forebrain neurons projecting to the cortex, and reduced by inactivation or lesion of the cholinergic nucleus. Increase in rCBF in association with an activation of motor neurons of masseter muscle was observed even after immobilization induced by administration of muscle relaxant. The results suggest that basal forebrain neurons were activated in association with masseter muscle activity, central command is involved in that activation.

Free Research Field

自律神経生理学