BRAIN NETWORK FUNCTIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND CORTICAL ACTIVATION FEATURES DURING THE SWALLOWING TASK FOR THE PATIENTS OF POST STROKE DYSPHAGIA: A MULTI- CHANNEL FNIRS STUDY.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), as an emerging non-invasive brain imaging technique, provides new perspectives to study the functional brain connectivity in Post stroke dysphagia (PSD) patients. Using the fNIRS technique to observe and compare the differences in brain network functional connectivity and activation between healthy subjects and PSD patients during the performance of a swallowing task and provide new insights into the mechanisms and treatment of PSD. A total of 26 healthy volunteers (Healthy control, HC) and 53 PSD patients were enrolled in this study, then PSD patients were then divided into two groups: PSD hemorrhagic (PSD(H)) group and PSD ischemic (PSD(I)). The fNIRS technique was used to collect the swallowing task state data. Brain regions closely related to swallowing function were selected as regions of interest (ROI). The strength of brain network functional connectivity and the degree of brain area activation in the swallowing task were analysed in each group, and correlation analyses and ROC curve analyses were performed with clinical assessment indicators. The PSD group showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in brain network functional connectivity strength in swallowing-related brain regions compared to the HC group, and there was no significant difference between the PSD(H) and PSD(I) group. On specific channels, the PSD group showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in brain network functional connectivity strength compared to the HC group. Furthermore, the strength of swallowing-related cortical brain functional connectivity was correlated with swallowing function severity in PSD patients. The critical value of the functional connectivity is expected to be an indicator for assessing whether PSD patients are dependent on tube feeding. The present study reveals diminished functional connectivity and abnormal activation patterns of brain networks in PSD patients during a swallowing task, providing new evidence for the mechanisms of PSD and potential neuromodulatory targets.