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

Swallowing activity in the oral phase is regulated by the cortical swallowing network, and the functional connectivity pattern of the cortical swallowing network is related to swallowing activity. The structural damage of the cortical swallowing network and abnormal activation of brain areas related to swallowing in post-stroke dysphagia affect swallowing activity. The recovery of dysphagia after stroke is related to the compensation of swallowing network in the contralateral hemisphere and different connectivity patterns of diseased brain areas, and the integrity of cortical swallowing network connectivity affects the sequence of oral swallowing activities. However, it is not clear how the functional connectivity patterns and interactions of brain regions of the cortical swallowing network related to oral swallowing activity change in patients with oral dysphagia after stroke.

Swallowing is a complex movement consisting of sequential and ordered activation of swallowing muscles interconnected cortical areas that facilitate the complex communication of sensory inputs and motor outputs to control oral movements such as jaw or chewing.During the swallowing task, the cortical swallowing network collaborates with each other to regulate swallowing activity. The damage of the swallowing cortex can affect the coordination of muscle groups in the swallowing process. Compared with healthy people, stroke patients show disordered swallowing movements, which greatly increases the risk of aspiration. Different lesions and connectivity patterns of stroke can affect the prognosis of dysphagia after stroke.In stroke patients with dysphagia, functional brain networks associated with motor control of swallowing were found to be disrupted in acute stroke patients with dysphagia.The recovery of dysphagia after stroke is related to the compensation of swallowing network in the contralateral hemisphere and different connectivity patterns of diseased brain areas, and the integrity of cortical swallowing network connectivity affects the sequence of oral swallowing activities. However, it is not clear how the functional connectivity patterns and interactions of brain regions of the cortical swallowing network related to oral swallowing activity change in patients with oral dysphagia after stroke.The purpose of this study is to explore the specific brain regions that are related to the dynamic changes of the functional connectivity pattern of the cortical swallowing network and the neuroimaging representations of the interbrain interaction in the oral phase of patients with dysphagia after stroke.

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.