Brain Activation During Tongue Motor and Swallowing Tasks:A Functional MRI Study in Healthy Volunteers and Patients with Tongue Cancer

Kyung K. Peck¹, Samantha Haupage², Ryan Branski², Andrei Holodny³, Dennis Kraus²

Using fMRI, we seek to provide preliminary data regarding cortical adaptation in tongue cancer patients during three functional tasks to determine the functional task most beneficial to optimize therapeutic strategies and which is the most sensitive to use for future pre and post surgical studies. Statistically significant differences were found between controls and patients using dry swallowing. A trend showing statistical differences was found using bolus swallowing. No statistical significance was found using tongue tapping. The implications of these findings are evolving and will contribute to our increased insight into the role of the CNS and ultimately direct rehabilitation strategies for patients with swallowing disorders.