To Explore the Functional Connectivity Pattern of Cortical Swallowing Network in the Oral Phase of Post-stroke Dysphagia Based on Dynamic Causal Modelling

Launched by FUJIAN UNIVERSITY OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE · Aug 19, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how the brain controls swallowing during the oral phase in patients who have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) after having a stroke. The researchers want to understand how different areas of the brain work together to help with swallowing and how these connections may change after a stroke. By using advanced imaging techniques, they hope to learn more about the brain's swallowing network and how it can recover in patients with dysphagia.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be right-handed adults aged 65 to 85 who have had their first stroke and experience oral dysphagia, or those who have had a stroke but do not have swallowing difficulties. Participants should be able to follow simple instructions and give their consent. They will undergo assessments and brain scans to help researchers gather important information. The study is not yet recruiting, but if you meet these criteria and are interested, you can keep an eye out for updates on how to participate.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• 1. Inclusion criteria of patients with post-stroke oral dysphagia:
• • Patients with dysphagia after first stroke, meeting the diagnostic criteria of stroke, and confirmed by brain CT or brain MRI;
• • Oral dysphagia caused by stroke;
• • FOIS level ≤ 5; WST level ≥3;
• • Those who can understand and carry out the simple instructions of the treatment staff and are willing to accept the examination and treatment;
• • Clear consciousness and stable vital signs;
• • Patients in the recovery stage with stroke course and dysphagia duration between 0 and 6 months;
• • Right-handed;
• • Voluntary participants with informed consent.
• 2. Inclusion criteria of patients without dysphagia after stroke:
• • Patients with first-ever stroke, meeting the diagnostic criteria of stroke, and confirmed by brain CT or brain MRI;
• • No dysphagia, FOIS level =7; WST level =1;
• • Those who can understand and carry out the simple instructions of the treatment staff and are willing to accept the examination and treatment;
• • Clear consciousness and stable vital signs;
• • Patients in the recovery stage with stroke duration between 0 and 6 months;
• • Right-handed;
• • Voluntary participants with informed consent.
• 3. Inclusion criteria of healthy control group:
• • Normal cognitive function and swallowing function, FOIS level =7; WST level =1;
• • Gender and age matched with patients with dysphagia in the oral phase after stroke;
• • Right-handed;
• • Voluntary participants with informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Dysphagia not caused by stroke or non-oral dysphagia;
• • History of cerebral trauma, stroke, brain tumor, cerebrovascular, intracranial infection, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or other neurological or psychiatric diseases;
• • Symptoms of severe aphasia, neglect, visual field defect and other cortical lesions; Patients with severe cognitive impairment or depression;
• • Taking or within 2 weeks of taking drugs that affect the nervous system or psychoses;
• • Patients with metal implants and/or spatial claustrophobia who are not suitable for MRI scanning;
• • Visual/hearing disorders affecting training and assessment;
• • Persons who are participating in other research trials that may influence the results of this study.