This study investigates whether the swallowing reflex is modulated by stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PTg). Sprague–Dawley rats under urethane anesthesia were used. The swallowing reflex was induced by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve and was identified by the electromyographic activities from the mylohyoid muscle. The number of swallows was reduced by electrical stimulation of the PTg. The latency of the onset of the first swallow was increased during stimulation of the PTg. The duration of electromyogram bursts of the mylohyoid muscle was significantly shorter during the PTg stimulation than with no stimulation. The number of swallows was reduced, latency of onset of the first swallow increased, the duration of electromyogram bursts of the mylohyoid muscle was significantly shorter and the peak-to-peak amplitude of electromyogram bursts of the mylohyoid muscle was significantly suppressed after microinjection of glutamate into the PTg. These results suggest that the PTg is involved in the control of swallowing.

这项研究调查了吞咽反射是否受脚桥被盖核 (PTg) 的刺激调节。使用聚氨酯麻醉下的 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠。吞咽反射由喉上神经的电刺激引起，并通过下颌舌骨肌的肌电活动来识别。PTg 的电刺激减少了吞咽的数量。在刺激 PTg 期间，第一次吞咽的潜伏期增加。在 PTg 刺激期间，下颌舌骨肌的肌电图脉冲持续时间比没有刺激时显着更短。吞咽次数减少，第一次吞咽的潜伏期增加，将谷氨酸微量注射到 PTg 后，下颌舌骨肌的肌电脉冲持续时间显着缩短，下颌舌骨肌的肌电脉冲峰峰值幅度被显着抑制。这些结果表明 PTg 参与了吞咽的控制。