Purpose
Evaluate the feasibility and safety of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for the evaluation of cortical areas involved in swallowing.
Research strategy
The search was conducted from April 2003 to April 2013, using the keywords “functional magnetic resonance imaging” or“fMRI” and “dysphagia” and“functional magnetic resonance imaging” or“fMRI” and “swallowing” in “PubMed” database.
Selection criteria
Studies were reviewed by analyzing their titles and abstracts with the following inclusion criteria: research involving human subjects, use of neurofunctional tests, reference to swallowing function, adult and/or elderly population analysis and association with neurological disorders.
Results
the search strategy resulted in 1167 citations, from which only 35 met the eligibility criteria.
Conclusion
the functional magnetic resonance imaging was considered safe and feasible for evaluating cortical areas involved in swallowing. However, the reports of functional magnetic resonance usage differed between the reviewed studies and the variability in the methodology used, made meaningful comparisons difficult.
Keywords
Disorders of swallowing; Neuroimaging; Swallowing; Neurology; Neurological diagnostic techniques
