Age Effects on Lingual Pressure Generation as a Risk Factor for Dysphagia

Abstract

While swallowing pressures remain similar across the life span, overall pressure reserve declines with age. The implications are: (a) older people may be working harder to produce adequate swallowing pressures, and (b) age-related illness may put geriatric patients at higher risk for dysphagia, thus further complicating recovery.

Differential effects of targeted tongue exercise and treadmill running on aging tongue muscle structure and contractile properties

“…Sarcopenia, the agerelated reduction in skeletal muscle mass and strength, may be a contributing factor of dysphagia in the elderly population (4,17,59). Specifically, in studies of the aging human tongue, amyloid deposits in the tongue vasculature and increases in fatty and connective tissue have been found along with decreased tongue mobility (75), decreases in strength and force production, and increases in fatigability (60). Aging may also cause fast-to-slow muscle fiber type transitions in the tongue musculature (35,68).…”

Age and gender effects on submental motor-evoked potentials

“…To protect the airway, the swallowing event must be executed with a high level of coordination and precision (Dodds et al 1990). Age-related changes in swallowing biomechanics (Butler et al 2011;Logemann 1990;Robbins et al 1992;Robbins et al 1995) may predispose older subjects to dysphagia (swallowing impairment). Age-related changes at the neural level have also been reported, but there are conflicting results from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies.…”

“…This is supported by findings from the limb literature, with overactivation of additional brain areas correlating with decreased motor performance in older subjects (Langan et al 2010). Decreased activation in older subjects could account for a decline in swallowing biomechanics associated with age (Humbert and Robbins 2008;Robbins et al 1995).…”

Age Most Significant Predictor of Requiring Enteral Feeding in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

“…Robbins and colleagues [25] have reported lower lingual pressure generation and pressure reserve among older adults via measurements made during isometric tasks and saliva swallows; others have confirmed these age-related deficits in lingual strength [26]. Aviv et al have noted deficits in pharyngeal and supraglottic sensitivity with increasing age [27].…”