Neural mechanisms of salivary secretion related to oral senses and mastication.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26462811
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Functional basic dentistry
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUO Ryuji 岡山大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科, 教授 (30157268)
• Research Collaborator: Carpenter Guy H. Oral Biology, Salivary Research Unit, Kings College London Dental Institute, Lecturer
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 唾液分泌 / 咀嚼 / 口腔感覚 / 摂食中枢 / 大脳皮質 / 味覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The neural mechanism for salivary secretion induced by mastication and oral senses was investigated by electrophysiological techniques in the rat. As the result, we found that oral senses are cue sign for starting and determining patterns of both mastication and salivation. This suggests that salivation is not a result of mastication or oral sensory information. Secreted saliva dissolves foods and helps to make sense of taste, affecting taste quality and intensity. Moreover, saliva protects taste receptors in the oral cavity. Mastication, salivation, and oral senses are affected each other.

Free Research Field

歯科医学の一翼を担う口腔生理学分野であり、電気生理学的に、口腔の運動、感覚、自律機能を解析する。