PURPOSE: to compare the characteristics of chewing and swallowing in elderly with and without AD. METHOD: a comparative study carried out with 86 elderly people, aged between 60 and 93 years, of both genders, distributed in control (without AD, n = 43) and experimental (AD, n = 43) groups. Cognitive function and staging of AD were evaluated by applying the CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating). For characterizing chewing and swallowing we applied the miofunctional assessment protocol. RESULTS: the characteristics of chewing and swallowing have varied considerably when comparing both groups. There was a significant difference as for mandible movements, swallowing reflex, swallowing multiple residues and difficulty to swallow tablets. CONCLUSIONS: the characteristics of chewing and swallowing, in general, suffer more in AD patients when compared to healthy elderly.
Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Mastication; Deglutition
