Neurology of swallowing and dysphagia

Abstract

Neurogenic dysphagia is difficulty swallowing due to neurological diseases and compromises especially the oral and/or pharyngeal stage. The first section of this chapter deals with neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of swallowing as a basis for a better understanding of neurogenic dysphagia. Then diagnostic approaches are described comprising history taking, screening examinations, comprehensive clinical swallowing examination, and instrumented methods. The third section focuses on those neurological diseases which are frequently associated with dysphagia and ends with the description of the problem that only few pharmacological and invasive therapeutic interventions against neurogenic dysphagia exist. This expressly underlines the need for swallowing therapy and the development of new therapeutic approaches such as electrical pharyngeal or noninvasive magnetic and electrical brain stimulation.