The effect of Oral exercise on neurodegenerative diseases via alter cerebral blood flow

Oral Presentation

Abstract

^{Oral exercise could significantly enhance the bite force and tongue strength by improving the masticatory function. The effects of oral exercise on the brain structure and function have numerous mechanisms. However, we focused on the effect of brain blood flow.  Due to increase of cerebral blood flow (CBF), elders can prevent cognition impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. During mastication, the stimulation on alveolar baroreceptors and dental baroreceptors increasing blood supply in the brain. This will affect the baseline of cerebral blood flow resulted improved levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and catecholamine, which will increase neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in the dentate gyrus markedly. Furthermore, it will reduced inflammation and hippocampal Aβ deposits in the brain. Chewing exercise may have greater impact on occlusal force and masseter muscle thickness in elderly individuals. It also had positive effects on mood, reaction, and concentration as well as with the improvement of the learning ability. However, there still need more studies to elucidate underlying mechanism. Oral exercise is necessary for prevention of dementia, dysarthria, and apraxia etc. Therefore, promote and wide spread this kind of exercise program in nursing home or long-term care facility is worthy and important in the future.}