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Scientific Oral Presentations (Best of Scientific Oral)

Laryngology/Broncho-Esophagology

Session: Best of Scientific Oral Presentations 2

Effects of Aging on Superior Laryngeal Sensory and Motor Function in a Rat Laryngeal Model

Saturday, September 28, 2024
2:30 PM – 2:36 PM EDT
Location: MBCC, 222
Disclosure(s):
Zaroug Jaleel, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Kelson R. Adcock, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Aging is a known risk factor for development of diminished laryngeal sensation, dysphagia and aspiration events; however, the underlying mechanism for age-related swallow dysfunction is not well understood. The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) plays a key role in laryngeal sensation and is thought to be affected by aging. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in SLN neurophysiology with aging in an in vivo rat model.

Methods: SLN evoked response studies, via stimulation of the main trunk of the SLN, were performed in non-aged adult rats (4 months) and moderately aged rats (18 months) adult rats using two rat strains (Sprague Dawley and Fischer 344 x Brown Norway hybrid). Stimulated swallow force measurements were collected from the hyoid bone and tongue base. Outcome measures included compound motor action potential (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) measurements. Additionally, threshold stimulus intensity, peak force and frequency of electrically and tactile stimulated swallow reflex were analyzed. Sections of SLN, larynx and suprahyoid musculature were collected for histology.

Results: SLN evoked responses and swallow force measurements were collected in all rats. Moderately aged rats had a significantly greater SNAP duration compared to non-aged controls (mean difference(95%CI) 0.90ms(0.66-1.18), p< 0.01). Additionally, aging was associated with significantly decreased electrical and tactile stimulated swallow reflex (2.69 swallows/10s (1.65-3.73) p< 0.01, 5.94 swallows/10s (4.18-7.71), p< 0.03). There was a trend towards increased SNAP latency in the moderately aged cohort (0.66ms(.18-1.14), p=0.14). There was no significant difference in CMAP parameters or swallow peak force measurements.

Conclusions: The moderately aged rats had a greater SNAP duration and decreased swallow frequency and peak force. The results suggest aging decreased SLN conduction and swallow strength. This work may provide a biological basis for age-related swallow dysfunction.

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Zaroug Jaleel, MD

    Resident physician
    University of Washington department of Otolaryngology
    Seattle, WA, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Ma

    Mohamed aboueisha, MD

    Beth israel Deaconess medical center, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Kelson R. Adcock, BA

    Medical Student
    University of Washington
    Meridian, ID, United States

    Disclosure(s):

    faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

  • VM

    Vicente Martinez, PhD

    University of Washington, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • GK

    Greg Kinney, PhD

    University of Washington, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • DP

    David J. Perkel, PhD

    University of Washington, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Neel K. Bhatt, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Washington
    Seattle, WA, United States

    Disclosure information not submitted.